§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the cost of sugar beet pulp per ton in October of each year from 1970 to 1973 and state what steps he is taking to control the price paid by the farming industry.
§ Mr. GodberThe net wholesale ex-factory prices per ton charged by British Sugar Corporation Ltd. to growers and merchants were: £1970—£22; 1971—£22.50; 1972—£24.50 and 1973—£43. As an independent company, the corporation is free to determine its selling prices subject to the requirements of the counter-46W inflation programme. It has concluded that sugar beet pulp falls within the group of agricultural products on which price increases do not have to be notified to the Price Commission. The corporation has, however, informed the commission of its action and is making returns of its profit margins.