59. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that each month more sweets are manufactured in the country than the public is able to buy on the ration, and that the overseas export market for sweets is not now able to absorb any greater quantities, he will de-ration sweets, or, double the ration now available to children under 14.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir. Supplies are far from sufficient to allow us to do 885 this, but we have already given two bonuses to enable stocks to be cleared. We have no evidence that the export market has reached saturation point.
Mr. De la BèreWill the Minister make inquiries of the manufacturers throughout the country, from whom there is overwhelming evidence that the export market is not capable of expansion and that adequate supplies are here to de-ration sweets? Why not give us one miserable boiled sweet more?
§ Dr. SummerskillPerhaps the hon. Member will inform me of one market abroad which is saturated.