HC Deb 31 July 1940 vol 363 cc1237-8
51 Mr. Batey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) the amount of butter consumed per week prior to rationing and the amount saved per week by rationing;

(2) the amount of tea consumed per week prior to rationing and the amount estimated to be saved per week by rationing?

(3) the amount of bacon consumed per week prior to rationing and the amount saved per week by rationing?

Mr. Boothby

It is not in the public interest to give figures of consumption in time of war, but I am arranging to send the information to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Radford

Will my hon. Friend arrange for this to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as the habit of giving information to individual Members ought not to be continued?

Mr. Boothby

I cannot arrange for it to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Stephen

Will the hon. Gentleman send me a copy of the information?

Mr. Batey

If I had thought that the Question would cause any annoyance or trouble, I would rather have done without the information.

Mr. Boothby

I shall be glad to send the information to the hon. Member, and if hon. Members so desire, I will arrange for it to be placed in the Library.