§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to ask the Commission of the European Economic Community to reallocate, in consultation with the other States concerned under the Lomé convention, the quotas of the African, Caribbean and Pacific sugar-producing countries to compensate for any anticipated shortfalls.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIf a supplying country under the sugar protocol to the Lomé convention informs the Commission that for reasons of force majeure it cannot supply its full quota in a particular delivery period and does not want extra time in which to fulfil its obligation, the Commission is obliged to reallocate the shortfall to other suppliers for use during that delivery period. If a shortfall occurs for other reasons, the quota in question is permanently reduced and reallocation is at the Commission's discretion. The Government are concerned that the total quantity covered by the convention should be maintained. It has consistently made this clear to the Commission and will continue to do so.