3. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food to state his programme for the importation of chocolate and sugar confectionery, with special reference to the large quantities of semi-manufactured raw materials which have entered the country in the past year.
§ Mr. StracheyImports by private traders in 1949, including those of semimanufactured "chocolate couverture" and chocolate crumb, will amount to about £4½ million in value. Other semimanufactured imports comprise a variety of articles mainly used in other food trades and, therefore, have no relevance to the imports of chocolate and sweets.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not a fact that British manufacturers, given the ingredients, can manufacture all the good and wholesome sweets required in this country? Is it not possible to do something more to ensure that these semimanufactured articles are not imported? Cannot we give the ingredients to manufacturers here and allow them to manufacture the sweets?
§ Mr. StracheyWe could, of course, prohibit this trade, but I should be very reluctant to do so.
4. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food what quantities, in terms of sugar, glucose and cocoa beans, have been imported into this country in the form of semi-raw materials; and why he did not preferably grant the sterling involved in the form of raw materials.
§ Mr. StracheyAs the semi-raw materials to which the hon. Member refers are not separately specified in the Customs' classification of imports, I am 753 afraid that the figures he requires are not available. These materials are imported by private traders and I see no reason to prohibit these importations.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Minister aware that there is widespread consternation amongst large numbers of private traders and manufacturers today as to what is going on? Will he give an undertaking to look into this matter more closely with a view to seeing that some of the inequalities are adjusted?
§ Mr. StracheyI can always look into it, of course.