asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the increased supplies of sugar now available, he will grant an allocation to caterers who carry on small catering businesses in rural towns, particularly on fair days and market days.

I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to a similar question on the 7th November last. I regret that the supplies of sugar now available do not permit of an increase in the present scale of allowances to any class of caterers, or of the grant of allowances to any of the caterers mentioned by the Deputy who may have no allowances at present.

I understand that allocations have been made to proprietors of new dance halls and hotels, particularly those established by the Tourist Board. Is it not very unfair that private caterers, those who cater for the people who are producing the food requirements of this country, will not be given an adequate allowance? The people I have in mind are those who attend fairs and markets, who have to leave their homes in the early hours in order to attend fairs and markets. Some allowance of sugar should be made to people who carry on a catering business in rural towns in order to oblige these people with a meal on fair and market days. It is unfair to the caterers and it is unfair to the food producers, members of the agricultural community. It is not unreasonable, in my opinion, to make an application for such an allocation and I ask the Minister to consider it from the producers' viewpoint.

The Deputy wants me to give more sugar to new caterers. From whom does he think I can take the sugar?

Those who have been granted new licences—where do they get sugar?

What new licences?

The licences granted to hotels and other institutions.

None has been granted to hotels.

That is not true; of course they are getting it.

Why not take the sugar from the luxury hotels?

If that course is being seriously argued, I will consider it. It will put a lot of people out of employment. Perhaps that is what the Deputy wants.