HC Deb 01 March 1948 vol 448 c10
24. Mr. De le Bère

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider returning to the 4 oz. sweet ration; and whether he will consider granting a bonus for Easter to the public.

Dr. Summerskill

No, Sir. The reduction to a 12 oz. ration was made as a result of the decision to reduce by 25 per cent. supplies of sugar to manufacturers in order to save dollars. To meet an Easter bonus equivalent to the Christmas bonus of 4 oz. would require approximately 5,400 tons of confectionery of which one of the main ingredients would necessarily be sugar.

Mr. De la Bère

Can the hon. Lady say why the Food Ministry are going on hoarding sweets for export when there is no market for them? Sweets have been hoarded, people abroad have reached saturation point, and there is no market?

Dr. Summerskill

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are not hoarding sugar. If the manufacturers have enough stocks for the consumers there is no need to take any more. This cut was math in order to save dollars. We shall still want dollars at Easter.

Mr. De la Bère

There is no export market.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Does not the Minister agree that a bonus is not a bonus if it has to be repaid, as in the case of the sweets for Christmas, which are now being paid for by a reduced amount?

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not a hollow mockery?

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