§ 9. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Food the amount and value of confectioners' fondant imported last year and now being imported; and to what extent this is now being used for the manufacture of non-rationed confectionery.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeImports of fondant were not separately recorded in 1951, but it is estimated that about 102,000 tons, valued at about £8,800,000 c.i.f., were imported from all sources. Imports in the five months January to May, 1952, totalled 20,500 tons, valued at £1,714,000 c.i.f. I cannot say how much is being used by particular food industries.
§ Mr. SorensenMay we understand that this fondant can be used quite legitimately by confectioners or the manufacturers of confectionery for sale to the public?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeYes, certainly, but it has been very drastically cut since last year.
§ Mr. BaldwinIn view of the fact that fondant costs double the price of sugar, will my right hon. and gallant Friend not agree that it is better to spend that amount of dollars to buy sugar rather than fondant?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI think there is something to be said for that. The real point, of course, is that we have made very drastic cuts, and this means that we are saving a good deal of money.