asked the Minister for Supplies (1) if he has yet concluded the investigation into the method of the distribution of sugar referred to by him on November 12th, 1941; and, if so, if he is now prepared to permit deliveries to retailers on the basis of the ration allowance for each of their registered customers; (2) if it is proposed to make any special allowance of sugar for jam making this season, and (3) if no such general allowance is proposed, if he will make a supply available to those who, through the present unequal distribution, have been unable to secure their full ration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sugar Distribution.
The investigation has been completed. Existing arrangements are such as to ensure that every licensed sugar retailer should be in a position to supply each of his registered customers with the authorised sugar ration. I have, however, deferred a final decision as to whether the present system should be altered until the distribution of ration books has been completed.
In reply to the second and third parts of the Deputy's question, I am glad to be able to say that it has been found possible to make a small allowance of sugar available from about mid-June to any householder who possesses home-grown fruit for conversion into jam.
In the allocation of that small amount of sugar, will the Minister bear in mind the people who have not yet received their ordinary full ration of sugar and who, therefore, have been unable to accumulate any supplies for the purpose of jam-making?
I cannot undertake that. It is a different problem altogether.