§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of this year's discussions under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.
§ Mr. HareYes. Discussions have taken place with representatives of Commonwealth sugar exporting territories on the price to be paid for the 1960 "negotiated price" sugar bought under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and on other matters arising under the Agreement. Full agreement was reached. The price to be paid for "negotiated price" sugar in 1960 will be £44 8s. 10d. per ton, which is 13s. 2d. per ton less than in 1959.
The amount of sugar which will be bought at the negotiated price in 1960 135W will be increased by about 3 per cent. to 1,655 thousand tons, in accordance with Article 15 of the Agreement, which provides for an increase when United Kingdom consumption rises. The maximum quantities of sugar for export to Commonwealth preferential markets in 1959 will remain unchanged at 2,375 thousand tons.
A full review of the working of the price fixing arrangements under the Agreement has taken place and the system confirmed. An arrangement was made to restrain prices for 1961, 1962 and 1963. The Agreement has been extended for a further year and will now run to the end of 1967.