§ 20. Mr. Frederic Harrisasked the Minister of Food to what extent he estimates that he can now obtain sufficient sugar from non-dollar countries to meet the consumption requirements in this country for all purposes at its present rate and if sugar rationing were withdrawn. respectively.
§ Mr. StracheyI estimate (that in 1950, owing to the need to supply Commonwealth importing countries, we shall be approximately 525,000 tons short of sugar from sterling sources. If sugar were de-rationed, I estimate that we should require a further 700,000 to 750,000 tons.
§ Mr. HarrisOn the question of de-rationing, is the Minister working on the pre-war average of about 105 lb. a year per head of the population, or is he working on a higher figure?
§ Mr. StracheyWe feel that we must work on an appreciably higher figure than that owing to the redistribution of income which has taken place.