§ Lieut.-Colonel WHELERasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the serious discontent caused by his recent increase in the price of sugar, he will make a general statement on the question of sugar supplies for the coming summer, both for private jam-making and for general household use; and what prospect there is of any reduction in the price this year?
§ Mr. PARKERThe position as regards the sugar supply may be briefly summarised as follows: The world's production of sugar to-day, as compared with the pre-war production, has decreased to the extent of some 3,000,000 tons. At the same time, the American demand on the available supplies has increased to a large extent. It is, therefore, unlikely that it will be possible to increase the present domestic ration beyond 8 oz. per head in the near future. As regards sugar for domestic preserving, although a fair quantity has been set aside, the amount available for the reasons indicated is considerably less than last year's allocation. As regards price, sugar for the domestic ration is being retailed at a figure considerably below its economic value and much below the price in other countries. 1261W It is quite impossible to make any trustworthy estimate of the course of future prices.