RATIONING. (Hansard, 26 September 1939)

§ 74. Mr. Loftus
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has considered the representations made that the present meat-rationing scheme will deprive the great majority of pork batchers of their means of livelihood; and whether he proposes to take action to amend the scheme?

§ Mr. W. S. Morrison
The matter is receiving consideration.

Mr. Alexander
(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the serious inconvenience to the trade and shortage in certain districts of important food commodities, he will now immediately introduce the rationing system in the principal staple foodstuffs.

§ Mr. Morrison
It has been decided to use the national registration forms as the basis for the issue of rationing documents, but there will be no avoidable delay in introducing rationing. I appreciate that until the machinery of control is completed by the introduction of the rationing scheme, food traders may be placed in some difficulty in meeting the demands of customers, and I ask for the co-operation of all members of the community in voluntarily restricting their demands to reasonable quantities during this transitional period. Every effort is being made to readjust the systems of distribution of essential foodstuffs so as to minimise the dislocation due to war conditions and ensure fair allocation of supplies to traders.

Mr. Alexander
Is the Minister aware, first, that there is an immediate and serious shortage in the amount of butter available this week; secondly, that although there is no basic shortage in the main supply of sugar, there is a very serious shortage in many areas, as the result of hoarding in other districts, due to the fact that there is no rationing; and 1214 thirdly, that in the Department which he has taken over, for over two years we had made our preparations on the basis of immediate rationing in a few days after the outbreak of war; and when is this important step to be taken?

§ Mr. Morrison
In regard to butter, I am aware that there has been a dislocation in the supply owing to war conditions. As regards sugar, it is the fact that, although supplies on the whole are adequate, there has been in some districts greatly increased purchasing, in some cases up to 50 per cent, above the normal. This is a most deplorable practice, and I hope that all those who are indulging in it, will realise that they are causing difficulties and restriction of supplies in other districts and to other individuals. As regards the date of the rationing scheme, there are advantages in basing rationing upon the figures acquired from the operation of the enumerators under the registration scheme. These people by going from house to house can get a more accurate picture of the actual population for purposes of rationing than could be obtained through the post by the usual forms. It is a balance of advantage and disadvantage. The disadvantage of delaying rationing is fully appreciated, but I ask the House to agree that it is better to proceed as we are doing.

Mr. Alexander
I beg to give notice that in view of the nature of the reply, we shall raise this question in the course of the Debate to-day on the Motion for the Adjournment.