§ Mr. Levyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the reason for scheduling chewing gum as one of the articles to be handled by retail traders under specified conditions; and what is the normal demand for this commodity?
§ Mr. MabaneChewing gum is sugar confectionery both for the purposes of price control and rationing and is therefore included among the foods for the retail sale of which a licence is required. As however it is sold by many retailers who do not sell any other form of confectionery it was considered unnecessary to require such traders to apply to the local food offices for individual licences A general licence was accordingly granted authorising retail sale of chewing gum by all retailers who regularly sold this commodity before the 27th July, 1942. If by "normal demand" my hon. Friend means pre-war demand, I regret I am unable to say: present demand is mainly for the Armed Forces, and in particular bomber and submarine crews, and the United States Army.