§ 77. Mr. E. WASONasked what is the position of a householder in London whose butcher refuses to serve him as a customer owing to his name not being on his books for the month of October last, the customer being out of town for that month?
§ 78. Sir R. COOPERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if, by the recent Order to butchers to reduce their present supplies of meat to 50 per cent. of their October sales, it is his intention that those householders who were living strictly within their meat rations last October should now he reduced to a ration of 2 2–7 oz. of meat per person, whilst those who were not living within their rations will automatically obtain a much higher allowance than those who have acted patriotically?
Mr. PARKERThe present Regulations merely limit the amount of the butcher's purchases of cattle and meat, and leave room for adjustment in sales to individual customers pending the introduction of definite schemes for controlling distribution. It is hoped that such temporary adjustment will be effected on the basis not of a customer's past purchases in any given month, but of his reasonable and proper requirements at the present time. I may add that Lord Rhondda has under consideration a definite scheme for rationing meat.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that some of the local food committees are interpreting the Order in the manner suggested in question No. 78?
Mr. PARKERI will convey what has been said to the Food Controller. His scheme with regard to the rationing of meat is well advanced and will probably be produced before long.
§ Mr. GULLANDis the hon. Gentleman aware that some butchers are approaching customers and telling them that; this is all the meat they will get?
Mr. PARKERThe butcher gets half, but it is assumed that he shall have regard to the necessities of the families which he is supplying.