HC Deb 27 March 1946 vol 421 cc371-2
53. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Food on what principle ice cream businesses are granted licences for sugar; why such a licence was refused to Mr. S. C. McIntosh, an ex-Serviceman of Aberdeen, of whom the Minister has had notice in writing; how many similar licences were granted recently to foreigners and ex-internees in Aberdeen; and if he will sec that the principle is applied fairly and inquire into the case of Mr. S. C. McIntosh.

Sir B. Smith

With regard to the first part of the Question, sugar is in short supply and this makes it necessary to continue the wartime practice of limiting allocations of sugar for the manufacture of foods to persons with a prewar usage. Exceptions are only made to this rule in the case of disabled ex-Servicemen unable to follow their prewar occupation. With regard to the second part of the Question, a permit for sugar was not granted to Mr. S. C. McIntosh because he is not disabled and was not making ice cream before the war. With regard to the third part of the Question, all the traders to whom sugar permits have been granted since July, 1945, are British subjects and none of them is an ex-internee. The answer to the last part of the Question is " Yes, Sir," but I have already inquired fully into the case of Mr. S. C. McIntosh.