20. Mr. Scott-Elliotasked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to make greater supplies of sugar available to housewives for making jam.
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. We are already giving 7 lb. in jamming bonuses this year as compared with 5 lb. last year, and we have also increased the weekly ration from 8 to 10 oz. I should have thought 12 that any future improvement of supplies ought to be used for the domestic ration.
Mr. Scott-ElliotDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that housewives use less sugar for making jam than jam factories do, and that if he would give more sugar to housewives and less to the factories he would achieve an overall economy?
§ Mr. StracheyIt is partly for that reason that we have increased supplies of jamming sugar to housewives.
§ Mr. David RentonWill the right hon. Gentleman consider putting the English language to its traditional use instead of inventing absurb jargon, such as "jamming bonuses?"
§ Mr. Strachey"Jamming sugar" is a term very frequently used by housewives, and is a very sensible term.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the alleged increase of sugar to a large number of housewives who grow their own fruit and want to make their own jam, results in considerably less sugar going to them than they had before the alleged increase?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir, on the average it results in an increase.
§ Commander MaitlandWill the right hon. Gentleman also consider the waste of the fruit itself?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir.