§ 32. Mr. Bowdenasked the Minister of Food if his attention has been drawn to the serious position in which manufacturers of soft drinks find themselves due to the cut in import licences for sweetened syrups; and if he will issue additional sugar in lieu.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI have received representations about the reduction in import licences for flavoured syrups, but I cannot find more sugar without using supplies urgently needed elsewhere.
§ Mr. BowdenWould the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind the difficult position of manufacturers who commenced to manufacture since the war, who had no sugar allocation before the war and were not users of sugar, and who have relied almost exclusively upon their present supplies?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI fully appreciate their position and sympathise with people such as those to whom the hon. Gentleman refers. Owing to currency difficulties we had to have very drastic cuts in imported supplies. I have great sympathy for these people, and I will do everything I possibly can.