§ Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of refining raw cane sugar in Scotland.
§ Mr. GodberThe arrangements agreed in Brussels are designed to ensure the import into and refining in the United Kingdom of 1.7 million tons a year of raw cane sugar from the Commonwealth in 1973 and 1974. The detailed arrangements thereafter are still to be decided but the Government is committed to ensuring that 1.4 million tons a year of raw cane sugar from the developing members of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement continues to be imported and refined in the Community as a whole.
My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industrial Development and I are in the course of discussions with the refining companies on what reorganisation of the industry might be needed to ensure that in the changing circumstances it is as efficient as possible. I cannot anticipate the conclusions of those discussions, but the particular factors favouring the continuance of sugar refining in Greenock 17W will form an important part of the Government's consideration.