asked the Minister of Food why, during the summer months, the sweet ration, containing sugar, a heating food, was increased to 1¼ lb., and from January, during the coldest months, it is to be decreased to ¾ lb.

The increase of the sweet ration from 16 oz. to 20 oz. during ration periods 2 and 3 (17th August to 11th October) was made to fulfil my promise to compensate for the cut which I had to make in the 16 oz. ration during the fuel crisis in March last. The reduction to a 12 oz. ration from the 4th January next is being made as a result of the decision to reduce supplies of sugar to manufacturers in order to save dollar expenditure.