asked the Minister for Supplies whether, in view of the shortage of butter, he proposes to make sugar available to private persons for the manufacture of jam.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sugar for Jam Manufacture.
Having regard to the limited stocks of sugar held, it is not possible to make a special allocation of sugar to private persons for jam-making. It was found possible, however, to allot special allowances of sugar to the principal jam manufacturers and, in consequence, substantially increased supplies of jam are available to the public.
Is it possible for the Minister to consider a modification of his decision in respect, for instance, of religious institutions where boarders are housed and which experience difficulty in procuring adequate supplies of butter for their boarders? These institutions have apple crops available with which to manufacture jam. If an allowance were made to them, it would ensure that a certain limited number of persons would benefit—a type of person over whom there would be effective control and in respect of whom there would be little likelihood of abuse in regard to the allowance.
That is a separate question, but I think that, for the time being, we must limit sugar supplies to those who are licensed as manufacturers of jam.
Does the Minister not consider that it is national waste if the apples are available and there is no sugar to convert them into jam? I understand that jam manufacturers are not disposed to take all the apples available this year. Will the Minister undertake to consider the matter sympathetically if the case is put to him?
The quantity of jam to be made is determined by the supply of sugar available and not by the supply of fruit.
Is the Minister not aware that those apples must go to waste if no sugar is available?
We propose to allow jam manufacturers sufficient sugar to justify them in buying all the fruit offered to them.