§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes are expected in the operation of United Kingdom sugar refiners' margins following British membership of the European Economic Community and what estimate he has made of the comparative British and Community refining margins in units of account per 100 kilos adjusted for a standard method calculation; over what period he expects these margins to be harmonised; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GodberThe refiners' margin is at present limited by an undertaking given by Tate & Lyle Ltd. to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Section 27 of the Sugar Act 1956. After our accession to the Community, it will be determined by the difference between the intervention price for white sugar and the intervention and entry prices for raw sugar fixed under Article 81 and Protocol 17 of the Treaty of92W Accession. No direct comparison can be made between our refiners' present margin and that in force in the Community owing to the different nature and circumstances of the industries. These matters are currently under discussion between the member States of the enlarged Community, and I shall make a further statement as soon as possible.