HC Deb 08 May 1940 vol 360 cc1242-3W
Major Mills

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is now in a position to make an announcement as to the amount of sugar that householders will be allowed to buy for the purpose of making jam during the coming summer?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

My Noble Friend has decided to provide additional sugar outside the domestic ration for householders who make jam either from their own fruit or from purchased fruit. The total quantity of sugar which is likely to be available for this purpose will be rather less than is used for domestic jam-making in normal times, but should be sufficient to ensure the preservation of the home fruit crop. I appreciate the public anxiety in this matter, and as soon as possible a statement will be made as to the exact quantity that will be available. I would, however, urge householders who are in a position to do so to economise in their consumption of sugar so that a portion of their rations may be devoted to this purpose.

Sir R. Glyn

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider making arrangements for jam and preserving sugar to be rationed on the same coupons from May to September, each coupon being valid for whatever amount of jam or preserving sugar the ration is fixed at, in the proportion of half a pound of sugar to one pound of jam?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have taken note of the suggestion made by my hon. Friend, and I will communicate with him in due course.

Sir R. Glyn

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the difficulties experienced in obtaining assurances as to there being a sufficient quantity of preserving sugar available for jam-making on a large scale this summer, he will encourage an increased acreage of sugar beet being cultivated and make arrangements with the factories for the production of the necessary quantity of sugar of the type best suited to jam-making?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The price paid for sugar beet already offers substantial inducements to producers, and, in any case, additional production of beet could not increase supplies of sugar in the coming summer.