HC Deb 07 November 1974 vol 880 cc186-7W
17. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the supply of sugar.

41. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement about sugar supplies.

43. Mr. Giles Shaw

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure the supply of sugar for 1975; and at what price.

Mr. Strang

On current supplies I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) on 1st November, except to say that industrial action in one large refinery is currently interrupting the distribution of supplies. As far as 1975 is concerned I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) on 5th November.

22. Mr. Hooley

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to provide a guaranteed United Kingdom market for 1.4 million tons of Commonwealth sugar.

Mr. Strang

The policy of the Government is to ensure that guaranteed access is given by the Community for 1.4 million tons of sugar from the developing Commonwealth and associates. My right hon. Friend intends to secure the maximum possible share of that quantity for refining in the United Kingdom.

37. Mr. Spearing

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what approach he has made to the EEC Council of Ministers concerning the statement of intent concerning 1.4 million tons of Commonwealth cane sugar imports obtained by the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Hexham (Mr. Rippon).

Mr. Strang

We have left our colleagues in the EEC in no doubt of the way in which we interpret the statement to which my hon. Friend refers, and of the urgency of translating it into a firm arrangement.