HC Deb 29 May 1945 vol 411 cc7-8
15. Lady Apsley

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of fruit preserving jars and that wholesale merchants are unable to obtain delivery from the glass manufacturers in time for the jam making and bottling season commencing next month; and what steps he proposes to remedy this deficiency.

Mr. Lyttelton

Owing to the heavy demand for glass containers for food, drink and medicine during the war and the shortage of labour in the glass container industry, there has been some fall in the production of fruit preserving jars. My right hon. and gallant Friend, the Minister of Food, has, however, been able to arrange for adequate supplies of closures which enable ordinary jam jars to be used satisfactorily for bottling fruit.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are very many jam jars if we could only get the fruit and the sugar?

Mr. Lyttelton

That question should be addressed to my right hon. and gallant Friend.