§ 59. Mr. Tinkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many communal centres for meals, British restaurants, are in operation; and what steps are being taken to get more in use?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAccording to the latest information available there are in operation 232 British restaurants; 217 centres for meals for evacuees; 54 centres established by local authorities, on their own financial responsibility; 62 centres set up by voluntary organisations; 195 Londoners' Meals Service centres, operated by the London County Council. In addition to these centres already in operation, plans for 257 British restaurants in 148 local authority areas have been approved. These British restaurants are now being prepared for 1353 operation. Approximately 225 further local authorities have plans for British restaurants under active consideration. In reply to the latter part of my hon. Friend's Question, officers have been specially appointed by the Ministry in each Food Division to deal with problems affecting British restaurants, and these officers use every endeavour to persuade local authorities to establish British restaurants where circumstances are suitable.