§ 44. Mr. SEDDONasked the Minister of Food whether the reduced sugar ration to-householders, especially among the largo body of workers who are compelled to carry their food for consumption to their place of employment, is creating grave. discontent, arising out of the fact that 1111 whereas the householder is reduced to one half pound per week, a less ration than during the War, the manufacturers' supplies are equal to 1915 purchases, and are able to supply to any householder in the form of sweets six or more pounds per week, thereby permitting an essential food to be converted into a luxury; and whether the permission by licence granted to dealers to import free sugar has led to 3 gradual rise from 70s. to 105s. per cwt. against the Government selling price of 50s. per cwt. for householders, thereby encouraging gambling in food, and causing the price of sugar to rise against the Government in sugar-producing countries?
§ Mr. McCURDYI am not aware that the reduction in the- sugar ration, which has been necessitated by the world shortage of sugar and the danger of prices being driven up to a wholly unprecedented level, is creating grave discontent among any body of workers, nor can I assent to the hon. Member's statement as to the amount of sweets available for householders. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member is mistaken in suggesting that the permission by licence to import free sugar has resulted in a rise in price from 70s. to 105s. per cwt.; the amount purchased in this way is extremely small in comparison with the total purchases in the world's markets. The Government selling price of 50s. per cwt., to which the hon. Member refers, was abandoned last April, and was applicable only to an inferior grade of sugar not suitable for grocery purposes. The Food Controller is stopping the importation of sugar by private traders after the end of this year.
§ Mr. SEDDONCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the licences are issued to brokers, and how many tons come into the country under licence?
§ Mr. McCURDYI am afraid I must ask my hon. Friend to give me notice.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs not the hon. Gentleman going to take steps to keep sugar down to the price which obtained under the difficult exigencies of war?
§ Mr. McCURDYWe are taking all possible steps to keep the price of sugar down as much as possible.
§ Sir R. COOPERBut it has gone up‡