§ Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the United Kingdom market for sugar in 1980–81.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe long term trend for United Kingdom consumption of sugar is slightly downward, although there are substantial year to year fluctuations. In 1978–79, the last full year for which figures are available, United Kingdom consumption of sugar was 2,337,400 tonnes. Consumption for 1979–80 is currently estimated at about 2.37 million tonnes. I expect the 1980–81 figure to be around that level.
§ Mr. James A. Dunnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the Government's policies towards the present decline in United Kingdom sugar consumption and the surplus production of beet sugar.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithAlthough the level of consumption in recent years has shown a gradual decline this is something over which the Government have little control. Since the United Kingdom is supplied from home-produced beet sugar, home-refined cane sugar and sugar imported from other Community countries, any surplus in the market could originate from any of these sources.
§ Mr. James A. Dunnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has sought any assurance from the British Sugar Corporation regarding the export of beet sugar production which is currently in surplus to United Kingdom consumer market requirements.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo. We consider it to be in the best interests of sugar producers and consumers that the United Kingdom market should be in balance and that, should any surplus arise, it should be dealt with using the provisions of the Community sugar regime. My right hon. Friend has expressed this view to the British Sugar Corporation and others, but decisions on 77W exports must be a matter for the producing companies.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that in the 1980–81 beet crop year the traditional outlets in the United Kingdom market for African, Caribbean and Pacific sugar will continue in line with British Government assurances to the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, taking into account any surplus sugar stocks and EEC imports of 150,000 to 200,000 tonnes ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIt is too early to forecast United Kingdom production of sugar from beet in 1980–81 or the contributions which might be made to our supplies in that year by sugar from other sources.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the stocks of sugar in excess of the statutory minimum stockholdings which will be held in the United Kingdom at the start of the new United Kingdom beet crop.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIt is estimated that on 1 October 1980 about 275,000 tonnes of sugar will be held in stock in78W the United Kingdom, excluding sugar held in compliance with the European Community's minimum stock requirements.