§ 39. Mr. LOUGHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many applications were received by the Royal Commission on Sugar for a supply for fruit growers; whether the Commission was able to allocate the full quantity asked for; if not, what proportion; whether any supply whatever was available for domestic jam making to persons who are not growers; and whether their full requirements will be available for manufacturers for sale?
§ Colonel GIBBSApproximately 750,000 applications were received by the Royal Commission on Sugar Supplies for a supply of sugar for preserving fruit from private fruit growers. The Commission are unable to allocate the quantity asked for in full, but the grant will be substantial, although I cannot at present state the exact proportion. No special sugar is available for persons who are not growers. It is hoped ultimately to meet the demand of jam manufacturers in full.
§ Colonel YATEWill any arrangements be made to control the price of jam when it is made?
§ Colonel GIBBSI am afraid I have nothing to add.
§ 41. Mr. RENDALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether sugar required for jam making is now being supplied by the 100 tons to chocolate and sweet manufacturers; and on what ground of public advantage this policy is founded?
§ Colonel GIBBSThe sugar provided for jam making is being reserved for that purpose. Manufacturers of chocolate and sweets are receiving only the restricted proportion of sugar, 25 per cent, of their 1915 supplies, which they may use under the Sugar Restriction Order of 18th May.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECan the hon. Gentleman say when private persons who have applied for sugar for jam making purposes will be given that sugar?
§ Colonel GIBBSI will put that question to my Noble Friend.
§ 42. Mr. RENDALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on what grounds persons were requested to send their preserving sugar require- 498 ments to the Sugar Commission, seeing that all over the country the local grocers have stated they have not been given the sugar to sell for this purpose; and whether, if it be impossible to provide such sugar, he will make a plain statement to this effect so that the public may be encouraged to dry the fruit if jam making be impossible?
§ Colonel GIBBSAll grocers who have forwarded applications for sugar from those private growers of fruit who themselves wish to preserve it are now receiving or will very shortly receive a substantial proportion of their requirements.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that private persons are not receiving their quantity of sugar, and will he see that they do receive it and receive it next week?
§ Colonel GIBBSI will communicate to the Food Controller what the hon. Member says.
§ 65. Colonel STIRLINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in cases in which it can be shown that the forms entitling householders to sugar for making jam were applied for in good time, but were not dispatched from London by the firm acting for the Ministry of Food until too late, the Ministry of Food has refused to accept any responsibility for the failure of its agents?
§ Colonel GIBBSThe Sugar Commission, after dealing through its agents with 750,000 applications for sugar, has declined to reopen any case of alleged failure to receive application forms in good time on the ground that it is not in a position to verify the validity of such claims. This rule has been applied without exception.
§ Colonel STIRLINGWill my hon. Friend say whether in cases in which the validity of the claims can be verified the persons concerned will receive consideration?
§ Colonel GIBBSI am unable to add anything to what I have already said, but I will put that question to the Food Controller.