§ 13. Mr. Peter Smithersasked the Minister of Food whether he can yet say at what date he estimates that there will be a sufficient supply of sterling sugar to enable the commodity to be derationed.
§ Mr. F. WilleyNo, Sir, but certainly not for some time to come.
§ Mr. SmithersBut in view of the fact that the Ministry of Food are already negotiating with Empire countries about the time when they estimate there will be too much sugar produced in the Empire, cannot they now say when they think there will be enough sugar for housewives and manufacturers?
§ Mr. WilleyNo, we are doing all we can to encourage the production of sugar to make ourselves reliant upon Commonwealth sources.
§ Mr. Somerville HastingsMay I ask my hon. Friend to remember that the price of an article, and the capacity of the public to buy it, have also to be considered if its equitable distribution is to be maintained?
15. Mr. De la Béreasked the Minister of Food in view of the handicap which; home canners are experiencing owing to the shortage of sugar for their industry,; what steps the Government are taking to ensure more adequate supplies, with special regard to the saving in foreign: exchange which might be effected by increased home production.
§ Mr. F. WilleyAs my right hon. Friend t told the hon. and gallant Member for Norfolk, Central (Brigadier Medlicott) on 13th March, some additional sugar has already been given to fruit canners. I am afraid we cannot find any more without additional dollar purchases which we could not justify.
Mr. De la BéreIs the Minister aware that the shortage of sugar to the home canner is causing unemployment, and is also making it difficult for the housewife to get the home canned produce that she wants? Why not do something really practical about the huge surplus in the world?
§ Mr. WilleyWe are also aware that the domestic consumer must have first priority.
§ 37. Mr. McAddenasked the Minister of Food what is the total amount of sugar used in the home market which does not receive a subsidy; and at what price it is sold.
§ Mr. F. WilleyIn the year ending 31st March, 1950, 925,000 tons of sugar were sold without subsidy at 59s. 2d. a cwt. ex-refinery.
§ 38. Mr. McAddenasked the Minister of Food what is the total amount of sugar upon which a subsidy is paid; and what is the total amount of the subsidy.
§ Mr. F. WilleyIn the year ending 31st March, 1950, 978,000 tons of sugar were sold at subsidised prices. The subsidy was £9,166,000.
§ Mr. McAddenDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that, according to those two answers, the amount of sugar sold at unsubsidised prices is roughly equivalent to the amount of sugar sold at subsidised 1629 prices—there is not a remarkable difference—and that if he goes into the question it may be possible to get away from the subsidy and sell it all at the right price and in adequate quantities?