§ 76. Mr. Alportasked the Minister of Food whether in view of improvements in the sugar supply position, which have recently been made public, he is able to increase the present sugar ration; and whether he intends to end sugar rationing during 1951.
§ Mr. WebbI think that the hon. Member is referring to a recent forecast of improved supplies in 1951 made by the Chairman of Messrs. Tate & Lyle, Ltd. Lord Lyle's statement was, I regret to say, over-optimistic and misleading. On the basis of the latest estimates, total exports from Commonwealth countries, together with supplies of home-produced beet sugar, are expected in 1951 to amount to about 2,150,000 tons of raw sugar. This is barely sufficient to maintain the ration at the increased rate of 10 oz. plus, of course, six bonuses. In the circumstances, I can see no early prospect of ending sugar rationing.