HC Deb 25 November 1963 vol 685 cc7-8W
60. Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken to encourage an extension of sugar beet production in Northumberland as part of a national production expansion; and whether he will consider the development of a sugar beet factory in the county.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The British Sugar Corporation is responsible for making contracts for sugar beet growing and I am sure it will give fair consideration to the claims of all counties, including Northumberland, to share in the increase of 20,000 acres in England and Wales in 1964. The existing factories have sufficient capacity to handle the additional production of beet.

Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of sugar beet was produced in the county of Northumberland in 1961 and 1962; and where it was sent for processing.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

10,200 tons in 1961 and 9,456 tons in 1962. All of this was sent for processing to the factory at Cupar, Fife.