§ 4. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Food what increases in price for sweets and chocolate took place between November, 1951, and February, 1953.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe last general increase, ranging from 2d. to 6d. per lb., was in March, 1951. In December, 1951, some sugar confectionery lines were increased by 2d. per lb.
§ Mrs. CastleIn view of these increases in price which have taken place in recent months, does the Minister think this the moment to abandon price control?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs a matter of fact, the really substantial price increase took place under the late Government.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he is so busy trying to evade his responsibility that he has not answered my point, and will he answer my question, which was, does he think this the moment to abandon price control?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe fact that I did makes it perfectly clear that I thought so.
§ Mr. WilleyIn view of the fact that the manufacturers say the price of sweets will be increased, does the Minister think this the right time to remove price control?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI have answered the Question on the Paper, and I am prepared to see what happens afterwards. I am perfectly certain it was the right thing to do, and at the right time.
§ 5. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Food to what extent an increased allocation of sugar is to be made for the manufacture of sweets and chocolate.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 11th February. The industry will also share in the partial restoration of the cuts made in 1951, of which the House was informed on 27th January.
§ Mr. SorensenIf during the ensuing weeks the Minister finds that the demand for sweets exceeds his anticipation, and therefore makes an inroad on the supplies of sugar, will he take action?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIt cannot make inroads on the supplies of sugar because, as I stated in my answer, to meet the initial rush the 9,000 tons saved from the allocation last year was distributed to manufacturers. I think that we have made ample provision for what we 1214 assume will be the initial rush, and I have no cause to be anxious about the situation.
§ Mr. SwinglerDoes the answer mean that after the initial rush the Minister will expect the consumption of sweets to be less; and if, on the contrary, it is more, where is the extra sugar coming from?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeLet us take that fence when we come to it. At the moment it is quite all right.
§ 26. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Food the national consumption of sweets and chocolates in each of the years 1951 and 1952; and on what estimate of annual consumption he based his policy of de-rationing.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe estimated civilian consumption in 1951 was about 421,400 tons and in 1952 429,200 tons. There may be a small further increase this year, but this was only one element in my decision to end control.
§ Mr. SwinglerAre we to assume from the Minister's previous answers that he has made no provision for a substantial increase in the consumption of sweets and chocolates? Is it his policy to rely on rising prices to curb the housewife's freedom to buy any more sweets and chocolates?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIf the hon. Gentleman had listened a little more carefully at the beginning of Question time and also last week, he would have learned that the 9,000 tons represents a once-for-all distribution of sugar for sweets and that the 8,500 tons is a permanent increase.
§ Mr. SwinglerDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman know where the extra sugar is coming from?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe first amount comes from a saving on the allocation last year, and, as I announced in January, the 8,500 tons represents the restoration of half the cut imposed in 1951.