§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what inquiries he has made to determine the extent of the United Kingdom's requirement for sugar imports from the EEC during 1975.
§ Mr. BishopThe United Kingdom's requirements for imports of sugar from the European Economic Community in 1975 will depend on what supplies can be secured from the developing Commonwealth and Australia in that year, and on the size of our domestic beet crop. My right hon. Friend had an encouraging response as to the willingness of Commonwealth Governments to supply in talks he held with them on 3rd to 5th July, but until negotiations have been completed on the terms of access for their sugar to the Community it will not be possible accurately to estimate what total supplies will be available against our commitment to secure access on fair terms for 1.4 million tons from the developing Commonwealth and our declared intention to secure continued access for Australian sugar.
In the meantime the Council of Ministers of the Community has accepted the need for a drastic reduction in the Community's normal exports to ensure sufficient supplies.