The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As the Food Controller has already pointed out, during the continued advance in the price of sugar from the pre-War level of about 2d. per lb. to the recent high price of Is. 2d. per lb., traders were allowed to retain the esfcra profits on stocks held at each successive increase in the pries, and, therefore, it is only reasonable that they should be prepared to face the risks of a falling market. An exceptional situation was no doubt created by the request of the Government to traders to hold large stocks in the emergency created by the recent coal strike. In the case of retailers, this was met by the retention for a fortnight of the higher scale of approved retail prices. The Food Controller is prepared to consider the possibility of affording some relief to individual wholesalers in cases where it is proved that surplus stocks have been accumulated directly in response to the request made on behalf of the Govern ment. It is not practicable to give longer notice of changes in prices. I am not aware that any communication was made to the Press in anticipation of the official announcement.