53. Viscountess Astorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the increase in the demand for sweets, he will consider allowing more sugar to the confectionery trade and less to breweries?
Major Lloyd GeorgeInstructions have already been issued maintaining the allocations of sugar to the confectionery 156 trade and to the brewers at their present levels during March and April. My Noble Friend will give my hon. Friend's suggestion careful consideration when the allocations for May and June are determined.
§ Mr. WoodsIs the Minister aware that in reception areas, where there are large numbers of children, practically all the sweetshops are closed, owing to lack of supplies, while in evacuation areas, where the numbers of children are reduced, there are still large quantities of sweets? Will he arrange that reception areas may get more adequate supplies of sweets?
Major Lloyd GeorgeCertainly; but the hon. Member will be aware that the distribution is largely in the hands of the manufacturers themselves. They have full information as to the areas to which children have gone, and they are doing their best to make arrangements. But I will look into the matter.
§ Sir Francis FremantleDoes my hon. and gallant Friend recognise that the more sweets children eat, the worse their teeth become?
Viscountess AstorDoes my hon. and gallant Friend recognise that the children of Canada and America eat more sweets than the children of the United Kingdom, and that they have better teeth?