§ 78. Major P. MALONEasked the Food Controller whether he will be prepared to take steps to secure that local authorities will not be called upon to bear any financial losses which may be unavoid- 1667 ably sustained in connection with the establishment of national kitchens in their areas, especially having regard to the consideration that the principle of the expenses relating to food control having been borne by the Exchequer has been recognised by the Government?
§ Mr. PRATTIt has always been in contemplation that national kitchens should be run on a self-supporting though not profit-making basis, and the experience of my Department has shown that with proper management this end can be secured. I am not clear what the hon. Member means by unavoidable loss, but a system of subsidies would hardly make for careful management.
§ Major MALONEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in the district of South Tottenham a loss of something like £700 has been incurred in working one of these kitchens?
§ 79. Mr. HURDasked the Food Controller if he will state, in view of the desirability of the provision of nourishing and well-cooked food for miners at the pit's head, what facilities of this kind are offered by the national kitchens division of the Ministry; and will he take steps to bring these facilities prominently to the notice of the miners of Somerset and elsewhere, so that they may judge of their suitability to their case?
§ Mr. PRATTIt is quite competent for a local authority to make an application for capital expenditure in respect of an approved pit-head canteen. The Food Controller has taken steps to bring to the notice of local authorities and miners' organisations his readiness to assist in the movement. Everything possible will be done to encourage pit-head canteens and industrial canteens at workshops and factories.