asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will oppose the proposed increase in the price of sugar by 2 per cent. more than the increase for cereals and rape seed on the grounds that this will contribute to the maintainance or increase of the 6½ million tonne surplus of community sugar production over consumption, and on the grounds that this transfer in the cost of the new co-responsibility levy of 2 per cent. on sugar will fall directly to the consumer.

3½ million tonnes of the 1981–82 surplus is of C sugar, which is not eligible for price support and is not directly affected by the Commission's price proposals. I agree, however, that there should be restraint in the prices applied to A and B quota sugar and have argued strongly to that effect in the Council.