Mr. DOYLEasked the Minister of Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that when British manufacturers using sugar in their productions were compelled to pay 160s. per cwt. for the same sugar that was distributed, through the wholesale grocers, to the public at 112s. per cwt. they were informed that it was the world's price; and, now that the same price of 96s. is paid both by manufacturers and wholesale grocers under the rationing arrangement, and as he is alleged to have stated that sugar will probably be decontrolled early in the new year, whether he will now allow manufacturers forthwith to make their own purchases, independent of the Royal Commission on Sugar, for immediate and prospective needs, so that the retail price of their commodities can be stabilised and violent fluctuations avoided, and thus manufacturers can use their own intelligence as to the course of the market?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe prices named by the hon. Member as charged to manufacturers, namely, 160s. and 96s. per cwt., did in fact approximate to the level of prices in the world market at the beginning of the respective four-weekly periods1722W for which they were fixed. I hope to be in a position in a few days to make a statement of policy regarding the removal of restrictions on the import and sale of sugar.