asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why 10,000 tons of sugar were recently imported from Cuba while farmers were refused contracts to grow beet by Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo.

It is necessary to import raw sugar for refining in order to supplement home production of beet sugar. I have been informed by Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo. that contracts for beet growing have been refused this year only in cases where growers failed to comply with the conditions of contract or where the growers' previous record was unsatisfactory, and that the acreage involved is negligible.