§ Mr. TICKLERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he 1s aware, that owing to his statement the public were led to believe that they could demand I pound of sugar with 2s. worth of other groceries, there is great discontent amongst the public because of the inability of the tradesmen to supply sugar on these terms; and can he suggest any measure to remedy this?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am aware that some members both of the public and of the trade have misread my statement in the way suggested, but the fault does not 997W seem to me to lie in the language of the statement. At the time it was made I explained (in reply to a supplementary question by the hon. Member for Plymouth) that the supply of sugar on those terms could not be made obligatory on retailers.
§ Mr. THOMASasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, notwithstanding his recent assurance that efforts would be made to enable the poorer sections of the people to obtain: adequate supplies of sugar, retailers in Manchester are still making the sale of one pound of sugar conditional upon the expenditure of 5s. on other goods?
§ Mr. McKENNANo evidence of the kind has been brought to my notice, but I shall be ready to inquire into any case in which specific facts are laid before me.