§ Commander Nobleasked the Minister of Food what were the total stocks of the type of jam which has been de-rationed; what was the average age of those stocks; what has been the amount of sugar for jam-making made available on each ration book this season as compared with last; and why it has been necessary to cut the marmalade ration.
§ Mr. StracheyManufacturers' stocks at 15th August of the kinds of jam that were taken off the ration on that date amounted to about 13,000 tons. Their average age was less than three months in most cases. Distributors are not required to make returns of their stocks of jam but, according to reports from the trade, the quantities held at 15th August were normal. The amount of sugar made available on each ration book for jam making, this season has been five lbs., compared with four lbs. last season. As the hon. Member doubtless knows, marmalade is only one of a number of varieties of preserves available on the preserves ration. The effect of the changes made last month was to free from rationing those jams which are in good supply. These varieties account for about half the total production of preserves. We had to retain rationing for certain popular varieties including marmalade not in ample supply and the ration was accordingly reduced by half. More preserves are available in total than before derationing.