HC Deb 03 May 1939 vol 346 cc1868-9
48. Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether his attention has been called to the appeal which has been issued in Switzerland by the Cantonal Governments to all families to store a supply of foodstuffs sufficient for two months' needs and to renew this store periodically; and whether he will cause a similar appeal to be issued by the Government in this country?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

My attention has been drawn to the appeal in regard to household storage in Switzerland to which my hon. Friend refers. As regards the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave on 2nd February.

Mr. Lewis

Does my right hon. Friend realise the heavy responsibility of the Government in neglecting this very obvious need of increasing our food resources in time of war?

Mr. Morrison

The responsibility in the matter is well understood. As my right hon. Friend stated, the Government see no objection whatsoever to people who can afford to do so laying in a store of food of modest dimensions, but obviously it would not be right for the Government to sponsor such a movement of this character as would upset markets and raise the price of food in normal times to the poorer sections of the community.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is the Minister aware that there are tens of thousands of people in this country who can hardly get bread from day to day, never mind from week to week and month to month? If it is possible for the people in Switzerland to lay in stores of food for a month or two, why cannot the Government see to it that the working classes of this country are enabled to do that?

Mr. Morrison

I do not know that that arises from my answer, but it is quite evident that the problems confronting Switzerland and this country are not the same.

Mr. John Morgan

Has the right hon. Gentleman anything further to add in regard to the storage of feeding-stuffs?

Mr. Morrison

Not beyond what I told the hon. Member a day or two ago.