HC Deb 09 March 1953 vol 512 cc829-30
32. Group Captain Wilcock

asked the Minister of Food when he proposes to increase the sugar ration.

Major Lloyd George

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton) on 23rd February.

Group Captain Wilcock

Does not the Minister realise that the housewives are getting rather tired of being given bonuses like a lot of children and that what they want is an increase in the ration? Does not the Minister feel that the world sugar situation will now allow a general increase in the basic ration?

Major Lloyd George

I do not know what the hon. and gallant Gentleman means about bonuses. He had better communicate with some of his hon. Friends. The sugar ration has been higher for a longer time than at any time since 1940. I have made it perfectly plain more than once in the House that the question of buying sugar is purely a question of the availability of dollars.

Mr. Willey

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman forgotten that we had 108,000 tons of sugar less for the domestic consumer last year than in the previous year, according to his own figures?

Major Lloyd George

I repeat that for this period this year the sugar ration has been at a higher level for a longer period than at any time since 1940.