With the permission of the House, I will make a short statement on the sweet ration. I regret that owing to the present fuel and power difficulties, the production of sweets has fallen and it will not be possible to maintain the ration at 4 oz. a week. The ration for the next period, beginning 2nd March, will be 2 oz a week. In the succeeding period, beginning 30th March, it will probably be 3 oz a week, and thereafter we are hoping to be able to return to a 4 oz. ration. Details of the amended values of the personal points coupons will be published this week.

The Parliamentary Secretary's statement, of which we have had no notice at all—but I do not take exception to that—is a very serious one. Can she tell us whether sugar is to be issued in lieu, or whether any other substitutes are to he issued?

No, Sir, the sugar has already been issued to the manufacturers, and they have added it to the stocks.

That does not help the consumer. I was asking whether the customer is to get. sugar in lieu. It is no comfort to the unfortunate consumer to say that the sugar has gone to the manufacturers.

The right hon. Gentleman will remember my right hon. Friend warned the country last week that if this weather persisted and it was impossible to get more fuel to the manufacturers of sweetstuffs, it might be necessary to impose this cut.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary assure us that this deficit will be made up hereafter?

I cannot assure the right hon. Gentleman of that.

If that is not so, what is the good of blaming the weather?

Hon. Members:

Answer.

The hon. Lady has told us that sugar is not available because it is in the hands of the manufacturers. If that is so, the moment the weather allows, will the loss to the public be made up? Alternatively, the cut cannot be said to be due to the weather.

If we had a surplus of sugar—and it was possible, administratively, to do it—we should, but I cannot commit myself at this moment.

The Minister of Food told us last week that this was due to the weather. Now the hon. Lady says that if we had a surplus of sugar something might be done. That is not the same thing. If the sugar is there, will it be made available to the public, either now or later?

I have already said that we shall consider this point, but I am not prepared to commit myself now.

Before the lion Lady reverts to the normal 4 oz. ration, will she consider converting some part of the sweet ration to an increase in the normal sugar ration?

No, many people in the country are very fond of their sweet ration

Would it be possible to maintain the children's ration as it is by decreasing the adult ration?

We have considered that, but we have decided that it would he better to do it in this way.

Could the hon. Lady clear up this point? Is the cut due to a sugar shortage, or a coal shortage? If it is due to a coal shortage, will the leeway be made up when the situation is better?

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that power is needed to manufacture sweets, and that I have already answered his second point three times.

Then I take it that the cut is due to a shortage of foresight. as usual?

Can my hon. Friend say how long this unfortunate cut is likely to remain in being?

I have anwered that question in my statement.