§ 78. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Minister of Food whether the allowance of sugar for jam making from home-grown fruit this summer is to be limited to 3 lbs. per head for each household; whether he is aware that such an allowance will be quite inadequate in the case of a small household with a good supply of berry fruit; and whether, in view of the very large amount of sugar allowed for confectionery, cakes, and other unwholesome foods, he will consider the greater value of jam to every household.
§ Mr. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Each household will be entitled to 2 lbs. of sugar for each of its members, together with an additional pound for every 8 lbs. of fruit grown. It is regretted that owing to the limited quantity of sugar available a more liberal allowance cannot be made. With regard to the last part of the question, the allotment of sugar to manufacturers of confectionery, cakes, etc., has already been reduced to one-half the quantity issued for this purpose last year, and any further reduction would involve the risk of serious unemployment in the trades concerned.
§ Major WHELERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is an enormously increased supply of chocolates being made now, and could not that class of sweet be limited for the time being in order to allow more jam to be made, and thus increase the supply of food?
§ Mr. PARKERI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the latter part of the answer, to the effect that the amount of sugar which is allotted to manufacturers is materially reduced.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs it not desirable to give additional sugar to people who grow fruit, which would be wasted if not turned into jam, rather than give it to people who have no such use for it?
Mr. DOYLEWill the hon. Gentleman consider the question of increasing the 1845 amount of sugar necessary for the production of milk, which is more important than jam?