HC Deb 10 April 1941 vol 370 cc1693-5
66. Mr. David Adams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the vulnerable and industrialised areas North and South of the River Tyne are under-provided with communal feeding kitchens; that in the county of Northumberland not one urban district, rural district or borough has provided kitchens, and in Durham County, South Shields alone had done so by 27th March; and whether, as many of these areas are now vulnerable, and others might be required to receive refugees from bombed areas, he will consider the list of un provided towns sent him, with a view to prompt action?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George)

As the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Adams

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give me the purport of the reply?

Major Lloyd George

Not between now and the end of Question time.

Following is the answer:

My Noble Friend has been pressing local authorities since November last to proceed as a matter of urgency with the establishment of British restaurants, particularly in vulnerable and industrial areas. Some local authorities have been slow to realise the necessity, but every effort is being made to impress the urgency of the matter upon all local authorities and particularly upon those in the Tyneside area and in the counties of Northumberland and Durham. Of the list of 24 local authorities supplied by my hon. Friend, 10, so far as I am aware, have not up to the present considered the establishment of British restaurants. I am arranging that special consideration shall be given to these areas. Civic authorities in towns of 50,000 population and over in Northumberland and Durham have also been requested by my Noble Friend to institute arrangements for feeding not less than 10 per cent. of the population should an emergency arise in these towns. They have also been urged to consult with neighbouring local authorities with a view-to the provision of similar arrangements in the surrounding areas.

Schemes have already been submitted and approved from the largest towns, and, wherever necessary, equipment and stocks of food have been provided. These latter emergency arrangements are for people not necessarily homeless, who by reason of failure of essential services are unable to take advantage of the ordinary facilities for meals. Provision for rest and feeding facilities for the homeless is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. In the areas immediately North and South of the River Tyne 16 British restaurants are already established, in- cluding 14 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, one in South Shields and one in Tynemouth; five further restaurants are proposed for Newcastle-on-Tyne, two for South Shields and seven for Tynemouth. My Noble Friend is also informed that four other local authorities have under active consideration proposals for a further eight British restaurants. In addition in the County of Durham 15 local authorities have proposals for 82 British restaurants and in Northumberland six local authorities have proposals for eight British restaurants. Of the total number of 128, plans for 41 have been approved, 16 are actually established and plans for the remaining 71 are under active consideration.