§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations took place with the British Sugar Corporation concerning its decision to raise the price charged for dried molassed beet pulp by 4 per cent. during the period of the prices standstill; what changes took place in the price of the relevant raw agricultural produce during this period; what other cost changes took place that could not have been absorbed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the scale of wholesale ex-factory prices for dried molassed beet pulp, published by the British Sugar Corporation in September 1972 and involving increases of up to 6 per cent. during the period of the prices standstill, was approved by his Department in accordance with the 254W provisions of the phase 1 White Paper; and what were the considerations which led him to conclude that it was in conformity with paragraph 3 of that White Paper.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMy Department was consulted in November 1972 about the terms of the offer made to sugar beet growers for the sale of dried molassed beet pulp. This commodity is not regarded as a manufactured product for the purposes of the White Paper and consequently it was unnecessary for the British Sugar Corporation to obtain my right hon. Friend's consent for price changes during the standstill.