72. Mr. A. RICHARDSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Masborough Equitable Pioneers' Society, Rotherham, have only received sufficient sugar to permit of their customers having six ounces per head per week; that the present trading membership of this society is 11,460; that the sugar required to permit half a pound per head is 26,232 lbs.; that the sugar allowed for the last four weeks is 19,697 lbs., leaving a shortage of 6,565 lbs. to permit every member being allowed half a pound per head; and if he will make such provision as will secure the legitimate amount of sugar for this society?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANA letter has been received from the society to the effect indicated in the question. Additional supplies of sugar had already been allocated 1939 to Rotherham to meet the increase of its population, but no arrangement has been made to give additional supplies to individual traders on the ground that their customers had increased more rapidly than the general population, as is presumably the case with this society. The question whether additional supplies can be granted to individual traders under such circumstances raises difficulties, but it will receive the consideration of the Food Controller.