HC Deb 23 May 1963 vol 678 cc65-6W
Mr. Pargiter

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of sugar in order to avoid a steep rise in price, or what alternative measure he proposes to take to avoid a steep rise in the price of sugar.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

I have been asked to reply. There is no shortage of sugar in Britain, nor is there likely to be one this year or next. The rise in price reflects the high world price of sugar. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced yesterday, action under Section 14 of the Sugar Act, 1956, to help offset the rise in prices that has taken place is being urgently considered.