§ 67. Mr. PERCY HARRIS (Leicestershire, Market Harborough)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider the advisability of laying down a different scale of rations for children and adults; whether he has had any special reports on the effect of the present scale of rationing on industrial, preparatory, and public boarding schools; and whether in such schools the bread allowance is proving sufficient to maintain the healthy growth of boys and girls?
Captain BATHURSTThe scale of rations laid down in the Food Controller's statement was intended to apply to households containing an average distribution of adults and children of both sexes and various ages. The Food Controller has received many inquiries as to its application to schools and similar institutions. He has stated, in reply, that special consideration must naturally be given to the needs of growing boys and girls, and that, while every effort should be made to approach as nearly as possible to the voluntary scale, that scale may require modification in details and adjustment to circumstances. He places on the authorities of such institutions the responsibility of applying the scale to the special circumstances of each case in the spirit of his appeal.
§ Mr. HARRISWill the hen. Gentleman consider the advisability on drawing up some scale to guide headmasters in the schools, as that would be of considerable assistance?
Captain BATHURSTThe Food Controller has set up a Committee to give advice to those who require it on the subject of relative food values. I think that is what the hon. Gentleman requires.
§ Captain A. SMITHWill the hon. Gentleman take into consideration that thousands of families in the North bake their own bread, which is certainly of more value than baker's bread, and that it is 1445 substituted in place of meat, so that hardship is caused by the bread allowance; and while they could very well do with 2½ lbs. of meat, they find the bread ration rather hard?
Captain BATHURSTThat has been fully taken into account, and it applies very particularly in the case of agricultural labourers. In all such cases it is recognised that certain classes of people do consume more bread and less meat, and it is proposed in such cases to allow a reasonable discretion, as long as the spirit of the appeal is not broken, and as long as the aggregate amount of staple food is not exceeded.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the Ministry any information about the patriots who are beginning to hoard flour?