asked the Minister for Supplies whether, having regard to the fact that many people purchased sugar in more than one shop and are not now able to do so, he will vary the system of distribution in order to allow each retailer one pound per head for each of his registered customers without relation to the supplies obtained by him in 1940.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sugar Rationing System.
I am not satisfied that, in the case of a commodity like sugar, there are sufficient reasons to justify the elaborate organisation for rationing which would be required under a system that would permit individual householders to obtain supplies at more than one shop. In most households tea and sugar are bought at the one shop, and it was this circumstance which weighed with me in my decision as to the system to be adopted for rationing sugar and regulating its distribution. Moreover, the early introduction of a scheme for rationing sugar was facilitated by linking the scheme with that already in force for the rationing of tea. I am aware that there are exceptional cases which are not covered under the existing sugar rationing scheme, but special provision has been and will be made to meet such cases. As will be indicated in reply to another question by Deputy Cosgrave, I have had under consideration the adoption of an alternative scheme for the distribution of sugar to retailers, but the matter has not yet been finally decided.
asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the great dissatisfaction prevailing among consumers and traders regarding the method adopted for distribution of sugar; whether alternative methods of distributing the sugar ration have been suggested by the Cork Grocers' Association; and if he will state whether it is proposed to make the necessary changes in order to secure a distribution more satisfactory to consumers and traders.
I am not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction among consumers and traders in regard to the method adopted for the distribution of sugar. Complaints have been received, but they are relatively small in number, and such adjustments as are necessary to deal with these complaints have been, or are being made.
The Cork Grocers' Association have made suggestions for modifications in the method of distribution and these suggestions have been considered. It is clear from these suggestions that the present system of rationing sugar is not fully understood by those concerned. When it became necessary last August to ration sugar it was considered desirable to avail of the existing machinery for the rationing of tea in view of the fact that most householders ordinarily purchase their tea and sugar supplies at the one shop. Accordingly it was decided that the tea registration card should serve also as the registration card for sugar supplies in the case of all householders who usually bought their sugar, or the bulk of it, at the same shop as that in which they bought tea. Special provision was, however, made to meet the case of a householder who usually obtained his sugar at a different shop from that in which he bought tea, and in such a case a form was provided to enable the householder to register separately for sugar with his sugar supplier. This system has the advantage that it causes the least possible disturbance with the normal channels of wholesale and retail trade, and in particular I think it operates to protect the small retail trader. I am not satisfied that the experience so far in the working of the system is sufficient to show that it causes undue inconvenience to consumers, or that it will not operate to ensure that consumers can obtain the ration to which they are entitled.
I have, however, had under consideration the adoption of a scheme for the distribution of sugar which will permit of deliveries to retailers on the basis of the ration allowance for each of their registered customers. The examination of the matter is not yet complete, but if, on fuller investigation, I find that some such scheme is necessary and feasible, I will have it put into operation.
Will you admit that it was I suggested it to you, when you do so?