HC Deb 30 March 1949 vol 463 cc1220-1
63. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider increasing the sugar ration for bottle fed babies since many mothers find it impossible to make the present ration sufficient for the four week period.

Dr. Summerskill

No, Sir; experts on infant feeding were agreed when the sugar ration stood at eight ounces a week that this provided sufficient sugar for the normal baby. It is now 10 ounces.

Mr. Janner

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some mothers are complaining that the children do not get sufficient sugar and that they have to use the rations of the family for the purpose of supplementing the allowance for the children?

Dr. Summerskill

If my hon. Friend will work this out I think he will find that a baby feed needs one-and-a-half tea-spoonsful of sugar. There are eight tea-spoonsful to an ounce, and if you have five feeds a day that is sufficient.

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