§ 49. Mr. MOLTENOasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his statement that waste is in these times a national danger, he will take immediates steps to put an end to serious waste of food in the military camps in the United Kingdom and in France, a waste which, if confined, must tend to raise meat to famine prices?
§ Mr. TENNANTInstructions have been issued to all Commands at Home to ensure that only the food actually required for consumption by the troops is issued. The bread ration has recently been reduced, the issue of jam and cheese has been suspended and a money allowance in lieu is granted to reduce waste still further. Inspectors of quartermaster-general's services and instructors of military catering are required to visit the camps at home to inspect and to bring to notice any waste, so that it may be stopped. The meat ration in France is being reduced and an equivalent is being allowed in lieu so as to reduce the consumption of meat.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONHas the right hon. Gentleman received complaints of the insufficiency of the ration in Scotland, especially the bread ration?
§ Mr. TENNANTI should not like to say I have received no complaints, but the complaints have been quite isolated.
§ Mr. W. THORNEHas the right hon. Gentleman received any complaints from soldiers about their meat being pinched and sold?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have received a complaint from my hon. Friend. That is the only one.
§ 50. Lord CLAUD HAMILTONasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the expediency of authorising the appointment of a small Committee of an equal number of men and women, possessing the necessary practical knowledge and experience, for the purpose of preparing and issuing, under Government, sanction, in the form of pamphlets or leaflets, advice 29 and directions as to the best means of arresting the prevalent waste long existent in the domestic arrangements of the homes of the poorer classes, and for furnishing reliable information as to the nutritive value of certain vegetables highly esteemed on the Continent but little known in the United Kingdom, and for instruction as to the proper mode for cooking vegetables generally in a palatable form, and thus placing within the reach of all at a reasonable cost additional nourishing food, and thus averting any privations which may arise from high prices and scarcity of the ordinary supplies of food during the continuance of the War?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sending the Noble Lord a proof of a pamphlet on these matters, which has been prepared by the Board of Education and will be issued in a few days. Many excellent publications have also been issued by voluntary bodies, and I see no need at present for the appointment of a Committee on the subject.
§ Lord CLAUD HAMILTONWill that pamphlet be. issued under the authority of the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, certainly.
§ Mr. ANDERSONIs it only in the homes of the poorer classes that there is need for economy?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir.
§ 52. Sir W. BYLESasked whether, having regard to the counsels to private persons to practice strict economy, the Government itself, and especially the War Office and the Admiralty, will impose some check upon the extravagance with which the War is being carried on, both by reducing rations to the troops where they are found to be excessive and, by more vigilant administration, checking the waste of food in the camps?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must refer to the answer given to question 49. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government are fully aware of the necessity for economy and will take every step to secure it.