§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that retail confectioners and the Confectioners' Association view with alarm the continued shortage in supplies, which is causing hardship to a necessary industry, and call upon the Food Controller so to 1622W regulate the supplies of chocolates to the Navy and Army and other canteens in this country, and so to divert the supplies from such traders as sell sweets and chocolates only as a side line, that better supplies may be obtainable by those shopkeepers whose living depends solely on the sale of confectionery; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have been asked to reply. It is recognised that the existing shortage of sweetmeats caused by the inadequacy of the supplies of raw materials, particularly of glucose, occasions much hardship to small retailers. The Sale of Sweetmeats (Restriction) Order, 1918, was, in fact, issued with the object of affording relief to traders, whose living depends upon the sale of confectionery, by diverting supplies from those to whom it is a side line. The experience gained in the administration of that Order has demonstrated the need for amending its provisions, with a view to effecting a further improvement in the distribution of sweetmeats, and this matter is at present receiving consideration. The value of chocolate as a food for men who are undergoing exceptional fatigue is so fully recognised that it would be undesirable to diminish the present issue of chocolate to His Majesty's Forces.