§ 34. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has come to a decision regarding the range of ex-refinery sugar prices to be fixed for 1972; and if he will make a statement detailing the reasons for increases in the price of raw sugar since 1970.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the 107W Government's negotiations for a new Commonwealth Sugar Agreement; to what extent he anticipates an increase on the present £43.50 per ton; to what extent he estimates a rise in the retail price of sugar; and whether, on entry into the European Economic Community, the present system of negotiating and settling prices will alter.
§ Mr. PriorThe new Commonwealth sugar price announced on 16th December is £50 per ton, with an additional payment for developing countries varying from £7 to £11 per ton. This is equivalent to an increase of roughly one-third of a new penny per pound averaged over total United Kingdom consumption.
The new price will apply until the end of 1974 when the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement will be replaced by arrangements to be agreed between the enlarged Community and the Commonwealth countries concerned.