27. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food why he has indicated to the fruit and vegetable canners of rhubarb that the most which canners ought to anticipate is enough sugar for a pack of 25 per cent. of last year's; and whether he has considered the unemployment this must cause and the shortage which the consumer will experience as a result.
§ Mr. WebbI am informed that the canners expect to be able to maintain employment if we can, in fact, give them the larger allocation of sugar which I mentioned in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Norfolk Central (Brigadier Medlicott) on 13th March. The hon. Member might like to know that the revised canning programme has been accepted by the canners.
Mr. De la BèreDoes the Minister realise that, if the reduced allocation is proceeded with, there will be hardship to the growers of the fruit, hardship to the employees in the canning factories, and hardship to the public and consumers because they will not be able to get any, and that the allocation is still far too low?
§ Mr. WebbAll I know is that the official representatives of the canners have accepted the programme.