§ 33. Sir JOHN JARDINEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what amount of sugar, such as the Scottish bees like, will be assigned for their use, as desired by the Scottish Beekeepers Association?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY lo the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)It is impossible to give preferential treatment to Scottish bees, and it is impossible, under existing circumstances, to provide sugar for feeding bees, except in the form of bee candy. The Sugar Commission has arranged to place supplies of this candy at the disposal of the Scottish Beekeepers Association.
§ Sir J. JARDINEWill there be a supply of sugar for this purpose to Scotland?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo, Sir.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the fact that there is an insufficiency of this supply in Scotland, and that the bees are gradually being destroyed?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe reply states that the supplies are under the control of the Scottish Beekeepers Association.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the Ministry call for a return of the amounts allocated in order to see that the allocation is made fairly in England and Scotland?
§ Mr. CLYNESWe have received them from other parts of the United Kingdom besides Scotland.
§ 38. Mr. WATTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether an increased ration of sugar can be provided for an invalid on the certificate of a doctor that an increased ration is necessary for the patient?
§ Mr. CLYNESAs I informed the hon. Member for Deptford on 19th February, an increased ration of sugar is only necessary and only granted in cases where invalids are unable to swallow, or have to be fed by tube with concentrated nourishment. In other cases, substitutes for sugar can be used.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that sugar is essential for the cure of consumption, and in the case of one great sanatorium an increase of sugar was refused on the ground that a substitute could be found in fats, and that at the same time the Department cut off the supply of butter?
§ Mr. CLYNESI shall have to refer any supplementary question arising out of medical reports to those who advise in these cases, and perhaps my hon. Friend will give me particulars.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill the hon. Gentleman see that a supply of sugar is granted to sanatoria?
§ Mr. CLYNESI shall be glad to consider any question if my hon. Friend will put it on the Paper.
60. Mr. KENNEDY JONESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is the intention of the Food Controller to reduce the present weekly sugar ration; and, if so, at what date?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt has not yet been decided whether the present weekly sugar ration will be maintained or reduced.