§ 10. Mr. HOGGEasked the Director-General of Food Economy what measures he has taken and proposes to take to secure economies in the consumption of necessaries?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)Arrangements have been made for an educational campaign to concentrate public attention on the necessity of reducing the consumption of bread and flour and of preventing the waste of foodstuffs of every description. These arrangements have been concerted with the Board of Education, the Local Government Board, the National War Savings Committee, and the local authorities. One thousand two hundred Food Campaign Committees have already been formed in England and Wales, and a plan of campaign has been placed before them. In Scotland the National War Savings Committee, in conjunction with the Patriotic Food League and, with the aid of the secondary education authorities, is formulating a campaign on the lines already adopted in England and Wales. The whole movement is under the supervision of the hon. Member for Hornsey in association with the National War Savings Committee, and no effort will be spared to bring home to every section of the community the necessity of economy in food.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the hon. Gentleman say how many salaried appointments have been made in connection with these new features?
§ Mr. BOOTHAre we to understand from my hon. Friend that these campaign meetings will include a number of open-air meetings which would be likely to reach more people in the summer?
§ Mr. HOGGECan the hon. Member say whether my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey (Mr. Kennedy Jones) is going to take his seat on. that Front Bench to answer questions for his Department?
Captain BATHURSTCertainly not. The hon. Member was in error in addressing this question to the hon. Member for Hornsey. I propose, to the best of my capacity, to endeavour to answer these questions.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that Mr. Butt, managing director of the Palace Theatre, is now preparing a compulsory scheme, and whether this will not be wasted?
§ Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORDMay I ask whether any steps are going to be taken to include Ireland in this scheme?
§ Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORDIs there any objection to its inclusion?
Captain BATHURSTI am not in a position to make any definite reply to that question. It shall be brought to the notice of the Food Controller.