HC Deb 30 January 1918 vol 101 cc1550-1
73. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can state in English weight the amount of the bread ration in France?

Mr. CLYNES

A national system of bread rationing is not at present in operation in France. The Government has drawn up a graduated scale of rations which may be enforced by the issue of cards at the discretion of the local authorities in communes with over 20,000 inhabitants. Local authorities which have introduced bread cards have frequently modified the Government scale, usually in the direction of a flat ration. Greater Paris on 29th January last introduced a bread ration of 10½ ozs. per head per clay, uniform for all ages and persons.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

How is it they have a better system in France that enables the French people to get more bread than we do?

Mr. CLYNES

There is no restriction in this country as to the amount of bread that may be purchased, so that France cannot have a better system than our own in regard to bread.