§ 12. Mr. FIELDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can explain why Mr. Michael Vaughan was not supplied with the regulated allowance of sugar by Mr. Barrett in Dublin for the half-year ending December, 1916; whether he is aware that several applications and complaints have been made about this and other cases without redress being obtained; and whether he can state what will be done in those cases?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)This case was brought to the notice of the Royal Commission on the Sugar Supply last December, and they made immediate inquiries. It was found that the wholesaler in this case had not accurately carried out the Commissioner's directions as to distribution. It was because of irregularities of this nature that the Commission opened a new period under the scheme of distribution as from the 1st January last, but it is not possible for the Commission to redress in the new period irregularities of last year.
§ Mr. FIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have this irregularity redressed immediately?
Captain BATHURSTThe irregularity was not the fault of the Sugar Commission, and the difficulty is that if an attempt is made to redress these irregularities in one case it is bound to make a precedent for redressing similar irregularities in other places.
§ 25. Mr. LARDNERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that difficulty and friction exist in Ireland by reason of the circumstances under which the supply of sugar is controlled and directed; and whether he will consider the establishment of some separate control for Ireland or the association with his Department of some representatives of the trade in Ireland, with a view to mitigating the existing difficulties and assure the equitable distribution of the available supply?
Captain BATHURSTThe Food Controller is aware that in Ireland, as in other parts of the United Kingdom, there are defects in the present distribution of sugar. He is not satisfied that these are necessarily due to the causes suggested by the hon. Member. He will be prepared to consider the proposals made in the question when the Report of the Departmental Committee, now sitting to inquire into the whole subject, has been received.
§ Mr. LARDNERDoes the hon. Gentleman expect to receive any Report from this Committee in time to deal with the Irish case?
Captain BATHURSTThe Departmental Committee is sitting every day, and I have every reason to suppose that the Report will be presented shortly.
§ Mr. FIELDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are great complaints regarding sugar distribution, and that it is very desirable we should have some reply?
Captain BATHURSTI am only too painfully aware of the fact, as it forms a considerable part of my correspondence.
§ 28. Mr. W. THORNEasked whether, if a grocer or any of the co-operative societies can prove that they cater for so many thousands of people, the Food Controller will guarantee that they will get their proper supply of sugar?
Captain BATHURSTThe question of a more precise distribution of sugar is, as my hon. Friend is aware, engaging the attention of a Departmental Committee.