HC Deb 05 July 1948 vol 453 cc4-5W
Mr. Granville

asked the Minister of Food if, in order to encourage the fruit canning industry in Suffolk, he is prepared to give an allocation of sugar to help small growers and canners, particularly those to whom a licence to can fruit has been given.

Mr. Strachey

I regret that it is not possible to do this. In order to economise in hard currency expenditure we have had to place a limit on the amount of sugar to be used for manufacturing purposes. As far as fruit canning is concerned the sugar must be allocated to the established canning firms who will be able to make full use of it.

Mr. Granville

asked the Minister of Food if he is now prepared to take steps to change the controls in the fruit canning industry whereby no new canner established since the war can obtain an allocation of sugar unless he was a producer before 1939, in order to keep alive the spirit of competition and enterprise in this important food producing industry.

Mr. Strachey

It has been possible to relax controls in the vegetables canning industry up to a certain point since the end of the war and I shall be glad to carry this still further and to throw the industry open to new entrants as soon as the time is opportune. At present however, we are still suffering from certain shortages, in particular of tinplate and sugar, which make it necessary to limit the amounts used by this industry. I am satisfied that in these circumstances the best interests of the country are served by giving preference to the established firms which are not only in a position to make full use of these scarce materials but also are best able to distribute their products widely through channels of trade which they have built up. I agree with my hon. Friend upon the desirability of keeping alive the spirit of competition and enterprise and it is my aim to free such industries as this from unnecessary restrictions as soon as it can be done without ill effects.

Mr. Granville

asked the Minister of Food why the application of Mr. David Lowe of Cratfield, Suffolk, for an additional allowance of sugar for fruit canning has been refused.

Mr. Strachey

Mr. Lowe has been granted a licence for this year only to can 10 tons of fruit, without sugar, in the hope of saving all or some of his unmarketable surplus produce. We should have liked to make an allocation of sugar to Mr. Lowe and others who have been given similar facilities but unfortunately we cannot afford the dollar expenditure involved.