§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in some parts of the country, following the institution of the scheme for issuing additional sugar for jam making, no sugar was available for the normal weekly supply; and whether, in this case, arrangements can be made to authorise the issue of sugar in respect of coupons for weeks when it was not possible to issue the sugar against them?
§ Colonel Carverasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements were made to supply retailers in all parts of the country with sufficient additional supplies of sugar to enable them in turn to satisfy the requirements of all their customers who exercised the right given to them 1000W to obtain an additional two pounds of sugar per head for jam making; and, if not, what steps are being taken to make good the reduction in retailers' stocks which has resulted?
§ Mr. BoothbyThe distribution at short notice of a quantity of sugar representing about five weeks' rationed supplies involved a considerable transport problem. Where retailers' stocks were depleted the normal stock position is being restored. In addition instructions are being issued that if sugar was not available to meet the domestic ration the individual consumer shall not be penalised.
§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what arrangements were made before bringing into force the scheme for the issue of an additional two pounds of sugar per head for jam making to ensure that these additional supplies were in the hands of the retailers before the issue to the public?
§ Mr. BoothbyI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to similar Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Stourbridge (Mr. Robert Morgan) and Howdenshire (Colonel Carver). Instructions for the distribution of additional sugar supplies were issued in advance to refiners, dealers and wholesalers, but it was impossible in the time available to ensure a full distribution of five weeks' rationed supplies in all areas.