§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take to improve the supply of sugar; and if he will make a statement about the current situation.
§ Mr. BuchanBecause the quantity of sugar available to us this year at a fixed price under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement has been less than normal, the gap is having to be made good by imports from other sources, which are appreciably more expensive. The refining companies have consequently had to allocate the reduced supplies of normal-priced sugar between their customers. In doing so, they are giving preference to retail packs of sugar, supplies of which have been kept at around last year's level. We shall continue to keep a close watch on the situation.