§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the operation of the Sugar Act 1956 on 13th June 1966, and on other recent dates, when United Kingdom refiners refused other than nominal orders at the day's spot price based on the equivalent spot price for raws quoted by the Sugar Board; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MackieThe circumstances stated do not disclose any defect in the operation of the Sugar Act. I am satisfied that United Kingdom refiners were acting responsibly in refusing to meet 361W abnormally large orders from customers seeking to take advantage of a tempo rarily low ex refinery price. The price has now been restored to a more normal level by an increase in the surcharge this 362W morning, but even so the ex refinery price will still be at a level comparable with the earlier part of this year and prices at all levels of distribution should be unaffected