§ 67. Mr. Harrisonasked the Minister of Food what percentage increase he has made in the sugar allocations to various manufacturers during the last three months; and how these increased allocations compare in bulk with the total domestic allocation.
§ Mr. StracheyDuring the last three months sugar allocations to manufacturers have been increased by 10½ per cent. or 88,000 tons. This represents about 9 per cent. of the total domestic consumption. The House will recall that the domestic ration was simultaneously increased by 25 per cent. to compensate for the ending of the jam sugar switch with the derationing of jam.
§ 74. Mr. Wardasked the Minister of Food how much sugar is waiting at Queensland ports for shipment to the U.K.; how long it has been there; what is the cause of the delay in shipping; and when he expects loading to begin.
§ Mr. StracheyFor several months past we have made shipping available to lift Queensland sugar as fast as supplies reach the ports, and there has been no accumulation of stocks earmarked for this country. The Queensland Government have recently expressed their appreciation of the expeditious way in which we have shipped sugar from the 1948 crop.