HC Deb 30 July 1941 vol 373 cc1405-6
68. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make arrangements for persons certified as suffering from tuberculosis to have extra rations of the commodities appropriate for that disease?

Major Lloyd George

In view of the arrangements which have been made for making supplies of milk available I am advised that it is not necessary to grant supplementary allowances of rationed foods to persons suffering from tuberculosis.

Mr. Davies

Will the Minister be good enough to reconsider this position, as tuberculosis cases are very tragic indeed?

Major Lloyd George

I can assure the hon. Member that nothing is done in this matter without advice from people who are capable of advising us. Everything that is done in connection with the diet of sick people is done on the advice of experts. Of course, the milk scheme particularly applies to tuberculosis cases.

Mrs. Hardie

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that butter is essential in the diet of people suffering from tuberculosis, and will he not consider increasing the butter ration for young women who are developing tuberculosis?

Major Lloyd George

I do not think there is anything to prevent them from getting milk, and that is considered to be the most important of all articles of the diet.