43. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether the Government will take steps to encourage and develop supplies of sugar which could be made available for consumption in this country, with special regard to Jamaica, and with a view to taking sugar off the ration at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. WebbAs I told the House on 13th March, I am looking into the whole question of our sugar supplies, including the future production of Commonwealth countries. I should, however, like to point out that we have undertaken to buy all the sugar the Commonwealth, including Jamaica, can send us until 1952.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Minister aware there is no world shortage of sugar but a potential surplus? Surely the public ought to have a reasonable allowance of sugar. It is very important.
§ 47. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Food how much extra sugar for domestic jam-making he expects to be able to 1081 allow this year; and if he will bear in mind the needs of people with small gardens growing only soft fruit and endeavour to make it possible for them to draw the entire extra allowance early in the season.
§ Mr. WebbI am at present considering how much I can spare and hope to make a statement soon. I shall certainly bear in mind what my hon. Friend says, but I doubt if it would be practicable to make all the extra sugar available so early in the season as he suggests.