§ 41. Mr. THOMASasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that working-class people are experiencing difficulty in purchasing even limited quantites of sugar; that they often have to go for days without any sugar at all; that the prevailing practice of retailing sugar according to the amount of purchases of other commodities not subject to any fixed maximum price results in hardship, invariably necessitating ill-afforded expenditure on goods not actually required; and that, notwithstanding the inconvenience and hardship, the people at the same time witness in such places as Dewsbury consignments of sugar being used in the manufacture of sweets and confectionery; and whether the Food Controller will endeavour to so regulate the distribution of the available sugar supply as to enable each household to acquire regularly its share and no more, according to the number of persons?
Captain BATHURSTThe making of a sugar purchase conditional on other goods being taken will be included in an Order at an early date. As regards the use of sugar for the manufacture of confectionery and chocolate, I may remind the hon. Member that the amounts which may be used for that purpose in the present year have already been limited by 704 the Sugar (Confectionery) Order, 1917, to 50 per cent. of the amount so used in 1915, and this quantity may be still further reduced in the near future.
§ Mr. THOMASDoes the hon. Gentleman not see that it is absurd for people to be asked to buy chocolate when their children are going without sugar? If it is necessary to curtail sugar, cannot these other things be stopped?
Captain BATHURSTThat consideration is certainly being taken into account. I should like to take this opportunity of saying that the sugar problem is difficult and involved, and the Food Controller would be very glad to meet in one of the committee rooms any members of this House who are interested in the question of sugar, and discuss the matter fully with them.
§ Mr. THOMASDoes not that mean that the Sugar Controller should be here, because everybody is interested?