§ Mr. Haselhurstasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration is being given to the position of the United Kingdom sugar refining industry in the event of this country's acceding to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. PriorTogether with representatives of the three sugar refining companies, the British Sugar Corporation Ltd., Messrs. Manbre & Garton, Ltd. and Messrs. Tate & Lyle Ltd., my officials are currently examining this country's probable future requirements of refining capacity. To facilitate these discussions, independent consultants have been engaged to undertake an inquiry to assess and report on the economic and financial benefits from, and equitable methods of, reorganising the industry. The consultants will have regard to the national interest, and that of consumers, existing and prospective refining capacity, to the supply position and to the interests of all sectors of the industry. Their report will be confidential to the four parties engaged in these discussions, and there is no intention that the report itself or any recommendations arising from it should be made public except to the extent necessary for the purpose of wider public discussion of any specific measures of reorganisation.