§ 81. Mr. HARDYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can definitely state the earliest date when the issue of preserving sugar to private individuals will be made; and whether he is aware that, with respect to strawberries, the need for sugar for preserving the crop is already very urgent?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe issue to the trade of preserving sugar for private individuals began nearly a week ago. The completed figures of applications have only been received by the Sugar Commission to-day. Until their receipt it was impossible to make the final issues of sugar to the trade. The distribution to individuals will proceed as rapidly as possible, but under present conditions of transport there may be some unavoidable delays.
83. Captain O'NEILLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any correspondence has passed between the clerk of the union in Ballymena and the Sugar Commission with reference to the impossibility of obtaining sugar for the wounded soldiers in the Waverly Hospital, Ballymena; whether the Ballymena Union have yet been authorised to obtain a supply of sugar sufficient to meet the requirements of the wounded soldiers in excess of what is required for the workhouse patients; and, if so, will he 1785 take immediate steps to ensure that such extra supply shall become available without further delay?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe hospital was authorised, on 15th June, to receive the necessary supplies, which are now available. The matter was first brought to the attention of the Sugar Commission towards the end of May, and on the 6th June the clerk to the union furnished the Commission with the particulars necessary to enable the matter to be completed.