§ 69. Mr. Butcherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the present un satisfactory distribution of unrationed foodstuffs, leading to ample supplies in one district and acute shortage in another; whether this distribution is based on the number of ration books registered in the various areas, or on pre-war figures of population; and what steps he is taking to secure better distribution?
Mr. WhiteleyThe distribution of unrationed foodstuffs is not, generally speaking, related to the number of ration books registered in the district, but to the orders placed by local traders which are based upon past experience of the local demand. With a view to adjusting supplies more closely to current requirements, guidance has recently been given to manufacturers and wholesalers of foodstuffs in order to assist them in the geographical re-adjustment of supplies to correspond with population movements. Discussions are now proceeding with manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers with a view to the improvement of the distribution of important unrationed foodstuffs which are in short supply.