§ Mr. Boothbyasked the Minister of Food for what reason he has supported the activities of the International Sugar Council in favour of controlling and reducing the production of sugar in all the main sugar-producing countries of the world, having regard to the fact that he is still unable to obtain sufficient sugar
32Wto meet the requirements of housewives and manufacturers in this country; and whether, in view of the fact that such action has already led to a decision by the Cuban Government to reduce their output of sugar for the current season by more than four times what is required to deration sugar in this country, he will arrange for British policy in connection with this council to be modified.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe resolution adopted by the International Sugar Council on 24th November, 1952, the text of which was given in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 8th December, 1952, was conveyed to the Secretary General of the United Nations who has now announced that a conference will be convened in London on 13th July, 1953,
to discuss measures which might be taken to meet the difficulties arising in international trade in sugar and, if considered desirable, conclude an international commodity agreement.The policy of the United Kingdom Government in this regard rests on Article 9 of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement, 1951. I understand that the Government of Cuba decided to restrict production of sugar this year before the resolution was adopted by the International Sugar Council. That decision, however, has not prevented my buying enough to enable sugar soon to be derationed in this country.