HC Deb 25 February 1952 vol 496 cc693-4
22. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Food if he can yet make a statement about the sugar bonuses for jam making in 1952, comparing them with the allocations for 1950 and 1951.

34. Mrs. Mann

asked the Minister of Food the amount of sugar he expects to allocate to housewives this year as bonus issues for jam making.

Major Lloyd George

I regret that I cannot at present add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) on this subject on 30th January.

Mr. Dodds

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the housewife wants some information in order to make preparations, and is he aware that he is rapidly earning the name of "The housewives' nightmare"?

Major Lloyd George

I am sorry to hear that, but I will let this information be known as soon as I possibly can. I have already pointed out that on more than one occasion it has been the end of March before the bonus was announced, so there is nothing peculiar in the present position.

Mrs. Mann

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that on more than one occasion there has been a bonus issue of extra sugar for marmalade making in January, and we have missed that? Surely it is time we had some improvement in the position.

Major Lloyd George

I shall do it as soon as I possibly can, but I would point out that before this Government came into office the equivalent of three bonuses had been cut by the late Government.

Mr. Bernard Braine

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend not agree that the present sugar supply position would be very much better if the late Government had given to sugar producers in the Commonwealth a satisfactory deal, such as my right hon. and gallant Friend has given?