58. Miss Cazaletasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can yet make a statement with regard to the organisation of a mobile British Restaurant service being established in rural areas?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAs the Answer is somewhat lengthy, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Two hundred and twenty Restaurants serving over 24,000 meals daily specially established for evacuated persons mainly in rural areas are already in operation, and in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health steps have been taken to facilitate the extension of these centres where needed. Inquiries have been in progress with regard to the provision of further feeding facilities for the benefit of agricultural workers and other residents in rural areas, and I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on the subject. I am also indebted to the Women's Voluntary Services who have been exploring this question with local authorities and other bodies. Plans for British Restaurants have recently been approved at three centres in Kent. These centres, which it is hoped to open in about two weeks' time, will provide cooked food for carrying away for consumption in the home either at midday or after reheating in the evening. This service should meet the needs of many agricultural workers. A limited but experimental service for the provision of snacks is also in operation at 893 one centre in Kent. The best method of developing the mobile service for the provision of snacks and hot meals in areas away from the villages to which my hon. Friend referred in her Question on 24th June last is being actively considered.