asked the Minister of Food if he can yet announce the allocation of sugar bonuses for jam making in 1952.

The House is aware that the 10 oz. sugar ration can only be maintained by reducing the number of bonuses. This summer I shall only be able to find two extra pounds of sugar. I think it will best meet the convenience of the public and the requirements of the fruit season if one pound is issued in May and one in July.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman state how this compares with the issues in 1951?

It is down on 1951, but the same as in 1950. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the sugar issue for this year had already been cut by 75,000 tons before I came into office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the housewives will receive this announcement with great disappointment? Is he aware that the 1951 ration was 10 oz. throughout the whole year and that in addition we had a bonus jam issue in April, May, June, July, August, September and Christmas? Is this the kind of treatment we are to expect from the right hon. and gallant Gentleman? Surely he can do better than that.

If any housewife expresses disappointment to the hon. Lady, I hope that in fairness she will refer to my predecessor.

That is a very thin excuse. The right hon. and gallant Gentleman must think up something better than that.