§ 64. Mr. Frederic Harrisasked the Minister of Food what is the additional percentage increase of sugar being allocated to manufacturers in the next period to meet the demands brought about by the de-rationing of sweets and chocolates.
§ Dr. SummerskillWe have given manufacturers an increase of 18⅓ per cent. on the quantity of sugar which they have been having to provide the present 4 oz. ration. There will be no further increase next period.
§ Mr. HarrisDoes the right hon. Lady mean to say that confectionery manufacturers are getting approximately about 75 per cent. of their datum usage period figure and, if that is so, on what basis do her Department feel they can take off sweet rationing if the manufacturers are to receive only 75 per cent. of the datum period figure?
§ Dr. SummerskillThey are getting 71 per cent. but it is estimated that this will be sufficient, because the prices of certain sweets are so high that it is quite possible that many people will not be able to buy those particular ones and, therefore, more than this amount of sugar will not be needed.
§ Mr. HarrisFrom where did the Minister get the advice that 71 per cent. of the datum period figure would be sufficient to meet the de-rationing of sweets?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe advisers in my Department consult the trade, and both they and the representatives of this particular trade have business knowledge equal to that of the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonDoes this mean that the right hon. Lady's Department has fallen back on rationing by price?