§ Lieut. - Colonel Bromley - Davenportasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the grievance of established manufacturers of soft drinks, many of whom enjoy a substantial export trade, about his decision to reduce the sugar quota of all manufacturers so as to enable the limited amount of sugar now available to be distributed over a larger 8W number of firms, including new firms; and if he can indicate precisely what his policy is in this connection.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeMy policy in this matter was stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, North (Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing) on 15th July, 1952. The scheme to which my hon. Friend refers, and which is at present under discussion with the industry, includes a small deduction from the sugar allocated to the larger firms to provide a limited supply for those who have not hitherto received an allocation and those who wish to enter the industry which has virtually been closed to newcomers for 13 years. The deduction is, however, almost wholly offset by the increase which the industry received last month. The existing arrangements to encourage the export trade are not affected.