§ Mr. Altonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what fresh overtures he intends to make to the European Economic Community in an effort to avert further redundancies in sugar cane refineries consequent upon the closure of Tate and Lyle's refinery at Liverpool.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerIn the discussions on the revised European Community sugar regime I have stressed that full account must be taken of the Community's commitments to import sugar from the ACP countries. I have also indicated that I would, as part of a fair package that includes a reduction in overall Community quotas, be ready to accept a reduced beet sugar quota for the United Kingdom. This will help safeguard the market for ACP sugar. The structure of, and employment in, the sugar cane refineries in the United Kingdom is a matter for Tate and Lyle; but the company has made it clear that it is its aim to utilise fully its remaining capacity at its London and Greenock refineries.