asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the loss of sugar beet acreage and employment in sugar production will be if the proposed EEC sugar quotas for 1980 to 1985 are implemented.

No proposals about the regime for sugar after 1 July 1980 have yet been put to the Council of Ministers but reports are circulating that the Commission intends to propose that the United Kingdom maximum quota be cut by 30 per cent. Such a cut would be likely to result in significant reductions below their present levels of sugar beet acreage and of employment in sugar production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the likely implications for (a) retail sugar prices and (b) the balance of payments if the proposed EEC sugar quotas for 1980 to 1985 are implemented.

As I said in answer to my hon. Friend's earlier question today, no proposals have yet been put to the Council of Ministers. The British Sugar Corporation is expected this year to produce and market in the United Kingdom about 1·1 million tonnes of sugar, and any significant reduction in its production would be likely to result in more imports. Imports have an adverse net effect on our balance of payments. It is not possible to estimate the effect on retail prices, which would depend on a variety of factors, including the quantities imported and the pattern of prices in the exporting countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the EEC proposed sugar quotas for the period 1980 to 1985.

No formal proposals have yet been tabled by the Commission. However, reports of what these proposals might be indicate discrimination against the United Kingdom, and in such a form they would be unacceptable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he will be making to the EEC regarding the sugar quotas for the period 1980 to 1895.

My right hon. Friend is seeking a substantial reduction of the Community's surplus production together with fair treatment for the United Kingdom's interest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has held with the chairman of the British Sugar Corporation regarding the EEC sugar quotas for the period 1980 to 1985.

My right hon. Friend met Sir Gerald Thorley, chairman of the British Sugar Corporation, on 22 November. Sir Gerald expressed to my right hon. Friend the company's concern at the reported proposals of the Commission for the Community's future sugar regime.