29. Major Vyvyan Adamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that inadequate supplies of sugar will involve a serious waste of home-grown fruit which might have been used for the making of jam; and whether he will officially encourage the more general use of substitutes, such as saccharine or sax in, which have the advantage of containing no fattening qualities, by all who consume tea and coffee, so that our limited supplies of sugar can be used for the making of jam?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAdequate supplies of sugar are available for fruit preservation to jam manufacturers, canners and fruit preservation centres. The possibility of making a special allowance of sugar to householders when the stone fruit crop is available will be considered in the light of the supply position. The public is already aware that saccharine is available for sweetening tea and coffee.
Major AdamsIs there any difficulty about the raw materials of these substitutes? The point of the Question was whether my hon. and gallant Friend will officially encourage the use of these substitutes.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI cannot say that, but the fact is that substitutes are available at the present time, if people wish to take them instead of sugar and use sugar for other purposes, but I cannot officially encourage their use.
Major AdamsWould it not be a greater economy to use substitutes, so that sugar could be made available for the manufacture of jam?
§ Mr. ThorneIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman recommends the use of saccharine, will he prevent the price from jumping up?