HC Deb 30 January 1918 vol 101 cc1551-2
74. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the scarcity of food in the East End of London, and will any steps be taken to immediately remedy this state of affairs?

Mr. CLYNES

My attention has been called to this matter. Special supplies of most of the essential foodstuffs have from time to time been sent to this part of London, and every effort is being made to secure that the district receives its fair share of the food at present available.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

How, then, does the hon. Gentleman account for the fact that thousands of persons in these East End districts stand every morning in queues, sometimes for four or five hours, and then are unable at the end to get supplies: is he aware that working-men are now going through their day's work on bread and treacle: from what do these conditions arise?

Sir C. HENRY

Does the hon. Gentleman admit that there is a greater scarcity in the East End than in the other parts of London?

Mr. CLYNES

I am not aware that in proportion to the population there is a greater scarcity in the East End. The other points raised in the supplementary question have been repeatedly answered in reply to questions.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a very important deputation, wholly composed of working-women from the East End of London, visited this House two days ago and placed before Members their own experiences arising out of the scarcity of food in the East End?

Mr. CLYNES

A large part of the time that I devote to these matters is occupied in meeting such deputations.

Mr. HOUSTON

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware of the great scarcity of food in the West End?

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that if the conditions to which he refers in the country are the same as prevail in the East End of London that the sooner the Government close up the War the better?

HON. MEMBERS

Disloyalty!

An HON. MEMBER

They are more loyal than you.

Mr. CLYNES

I do not think that even the poor in the East End of London would take that view.