Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 29 January 1947.
Mr Evelyn Walkden
, Doncaster
12:00,
29 January 1947
asked the Minister of Food to what extent the selling price of sugar or sweetening substances supplied to sweet, confectionery, chocolate, soft drinks and ice cream manufacturers during 1946 has been subject to any subsidy from Treasury funds; and what are the respective, and total costs.
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
The price of sugar to food manufacturers is lower than the current cost of production because of recent increases in the price of raw sugar. The cost to the Exchequer in the calendar year 1946 totalled £1,972,000 for the industries mentioned. With my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate the details of payments in the OFFICIAL REPORT
Mr Evelyn Walkden
, Doncaster
Will my right hon. Friend tell the House what is the principal reason for subsidising sugar for any of these industries at all? What on earth has it got' to do with the cost of living, which I understand is the fundamental reason for subsidising foodstuffs or raw materials?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
It is simply that the cost of these foodstuffs would necessarily go up without the subsidy.
Mr Evelyn Walkden
, Doncaster
How would it affect the cost of living if these articles are not included in the index figure?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
I cannot alter the index figure; that is another matter.
Mr Evelyn Walkden
, Doncaster
Why not subsidise other commodities?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
