§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if there is sufficient sugar in the country to give ¾1b. per week to every person; if he is aware that in Ireland shopkeepers cannot obtain sufficient sugar to give ¼ lb. per week to every person; if he will say whether he has yet considered the advisability of issuing sugar tickets so as to safeguard a supply for every person; if steps-will be taken to find out the persons who are storing or withholding sugar from consumers; and, if discovered, will such persons be prosecuted and punished?
Captain BATHURSTThere is at present sufficient sugar in the country to-supply the population with ¾ lb. per head per week. It is recognised that there are inequalities in the system of sugar distribution. In certain districts these have been adjusted, and the Food Controller is taking steps which, he hopes, will effect a general improvement. Difficulties of transport seriously affect the equality of distribution, and representations have been made to the Railway Executive Committee on the matter. Inspectors of the Ministry of Food, who have recently visited Ireland, report that the supply and distribution of sugar in Ireland generally are, on the whole, not unsatisfactory. The most effective method of preventing undue storing of sugar on the part both of distributors and consumers is under active consideration