HC Deb 27 March 1950 vol 473 cc15-7
11. Mr. Harrison

asked the Minister of Food why there has been a fall in the production of home grown sugar as compared with last year.

Mr. Webb

Owing to an abnormal growing season the sugar content of beet grown in 1949 was one of the lowest on record, and the yield of beet per acre was smaller than in 1948.

Mr. Harrison

Could my right hon. Friend tell us if there is any intention of increasing the acreage for home sowing, to help overcome this vast and irksome shortage in the homes?

Mr. Webb

We are governed in this matter by factory accommodation and the need to use our acres for other purposes, but I shall be quite happy to collaborate with my right hon. Friend on this problem.

25. Mr. Harrison

asked the Minister of Food what recent diminution of supplies of sugar from Empire and Commonwealth sources there has been; what are the reasons for this; and if he will take steps to overcome the dollar difficulties existing in the West Indies by means of barter agreements, arranging for the exchange of manufactured goods for sugar and other island products.

Mr. Webb

There has been no recent falling off in supplies of sugar from Commonwealth sources. On the contrary, Commonwealth sugar supplies have been increasing and are planned to go on increasing for some years to come. As the West Indies are in the sterling area their dollar difficulties are a part of the general dollar problem of the sterling area which we are all engaged in a common effort to remedy.

Mr. Harrison

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the supply of sugar from British sources in the Carribean and British Guiana has fallen considerably, compared with the supplies of two years ago?

26. Mr. Harrison

asked the Minister of Food when he anticipates that the negotiations at present proceeding regarding the purchase of West Indian sugar supplies will be concluded.

Mr. Webb

I cannot say, at present.

40. Mrs. Castle

asked the Minister of Food how much sugar has been allocated during the past year for the manufacture of canned sweet puddings; and how this compares with the previous year.

Mr. Webb

The allocation for this purpose was 1,878 tons in 1949, against 1,494 tons in 1948—an increase, of course, of 384 tons. This included increased allocations for factories in development areas.

Mrs. Castle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there has been an increasing tendency by his Ministry to increase the allocation of sugar for manufacturing purposes of all kinds, although the domestic ration is in danger? Is he further aware that the housewife would much rather have the sugar to make her own puddings, which are cheaper and better; and will he reverse this process?

Mr. Webb

I regard the domestic ration as the highest priority, and it figures in that category in the review that is now taking place.