§ Mr. FORRESTasked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the extreme difficulty experienced in many places in obtaining even the small rationed amount of sugar; and whether there is any ground for the suggestion now being put forward by the trade that the prices will soon be very substantially increased?
§ Mr. McCURDYMy attention has not been called to the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers, if he will give me further particulars of any such cases they shall be investigated. With regard to the second part, I have already indicated that the coming increase in the domestic sugar ration will probably have to be accompanied by an advance in the price of sugar.
Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the Minister of Food whether it is intended to restrict the use of sugar employed for confectionery purposes?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe quantity of sugar issued for manufacturing purposes has already been reduced to one-half of that used in 1915. It is not thought that the 1841W increase in the domestic ration made possible by any further reduction would be commensurate with the distress and unemployment which would be caused in the confectionery trade generally, and particularly among the owners of small sweetshops.