HC Deb 14 February 1940 vol 357 cc765-6
58. Mr. R. C. Morrison

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, on 7th February, a Tottenham dustman, in the course of his employment, collected a dustbin containing 20 lbs. of rashers of bacon; will he inquire why this food was wasted; and whether similar wastage is going on throughout the country?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

I was not aware of the wastage of bacon to which the hon. Member refers, but I am making local inquiry. I have no reason to think that such wastage is in any way common throughout the country.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

May I ask whether it is contemplated that penalties, either imprisonment or fine, for wilful waste of food shall be imposed, as was the case during the last war?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

At present we are relying on public opinion and the vigilance of local authorities in this matter, but if necessary, of course, powers of that kind will be taken.

Mrs. Hardie

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the bacon supplied to consumers is only fit to be put into the dustbin?

69. Sir I. Albery

asked the Minister of Food, with reference to the Maidstone Food Control Committee's report on the waste of bread and subsequent action taken by the Maidstone Borough Food Control Committee, whether he is taking any action to prevent the waste of bread in the country generally?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

No Order has been made to prohibit the waste of food-stuffs, but the need for preventing waste has been stressed in public announcements and I hope that public opinion will prove an effective deterrent. The preven- tion of waste will naturally be a main objective of the schemes which are being prepared for giving guidance to the public on the use of foodstuffs.

Miss Rathbone

Is the Minister aware that it is useless for housewives to separate household refuse if there is no organisation to collect and utilise it in the rightway? Is he aware that I can give him instances where housewives, after collecting their waste food, have seen ashes and food refuse flung into the same bin?

Mr. Morrison

The salvage of waste food products is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, but from consultations which I have had with him, I know that this matter is being actively pursued by his Department.