§ Captain CARR-GOMM (by Private Notice)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the fact that, owing to the number of soldiers applying yesterday for emergency meat cards queues were formed, and, owing to delay in some cases, soldiers were unable to obtain their cards; and whether the Food Ministry will take steps to expedite this issue, in view of the short time in this country at the disposal of officers and men on leave?
§ Mr. CLYNESAs my hon. Friend is aware, yesterday was the first day for beginning the new system, and our reports show that in some places considerable numbers of soldiers applied at the same place at the same time for emergency cards, and necessarily some delay was experienced. I can assure my hon. Friend that every possible step is being taken by the Ministry of Food, with the assistance of the food control committees, to avoid delay in this and in other matters connected with the introduction of the rationing scheme.
§ Captain CARR-GOMMIs it not a fact that most of the soldiers now on leave were issued with sugar cards when they 1241 left their units, and, if that is so, why could not this inconvenience have been avoided entirely by the issue of meat cards to them?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe sugar cards issued to them could have no relation to the inconvenience arising yesterday with regard to other articles of food.
§ Captain CARR-GOMMI have not made myself quite clear. I wish to ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is not aware of the fact that these sugar cards were issued and that this inconvenience caused to these men, some of whom are men from overseas who perhaps are ignorant of the ways of London and their way about London, would have been avoided if they had had their meat cards issued to them by their commanding units abroad?
§ Mr. CLYNESParticulars have already been given to the House that not only soldiers but a considerable section of the civilian population suffer inconvenience in the commencing stages of this scheme, but I have no doubt that the suggestion made by my hon. Friend will receive consideration.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWhat steps are taken to tell these men where they can get their meat cards?
§ Mr. CLYNESI cannot say what steps were taken on the other side of the water. That depends upon the military authorities.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of men coming over yesterday did not know where they were to get their meat cards?
§ Captain CARR-GOMMWill the hon. Gentleman arrange with the War Office that in future these men, when they come on leave, shall receive their meat cards with their sugar cards?
§ Sir C. SEELYWhy not give them their meat on their sugar cards?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have no doubt that the War Office will take this point into consideration, if the matter has not already been settled. I would ask the House to remember that they together with the general public insisted that the Food Ministry, without delay, should bring this system into force, and necessarily in the speeding up and getting the system into working order as quickly as possible inconvenience is unavoidable.