HC Deb 24 June 1941 vol 372 cc949-50
44. Miss Cazalet

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will arrange for fully trained and experienced people to visit the British Restaurants periodically without notice, in order to ensure that the highest possible standard of cooking is maintained?

Major Dugdale (Lord of the Treasury)

I have been asked to reply. Fully trained and experienced people have been on the staff of the Ministry of Food since the beginning of this year for the purpose indicated by my hon. Friend and are being so used. These officers are also available to give advice to local authorities who are about to open British Restaurants and their services may be asked for at any time. The Ministry have also prepared, and have issued to local authorities, special menus and recipes for use in British Restaurants, and this service is being continued so that full advantage may be taken of the food supply position at all times.

Miss Cazalet

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware of the wide variations in the standard of cooking in these restaurants, and will he send properly equipped people to see that the highest possible standard is attained?

Major Dugdale

I understand that six officers have been appointed since January and that it is their work to get round with a view to putting these matters right.

Viscountess Astor

Is it not true that it is one of the most difficult things in the world to keep your own cooking up to standard?

56. Miss Cazalet

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will arrange for a mobile British Restaurant Service to visit rural areas in order that the maximum number of villagers and agricultural workers may have the benefit of this new service?

Major Dugdale

A service such as is suggested by my hon. Friend has recently been under consideration, and my hon. and gallant friend is hoping that an experiment on these lines will be made shortly.

Miss Cazalet

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in certain rural areas it is harder to get food than in urban areas and does he not think it is right and just that people in the villages should get the benefit of these British Restaurant services?

Sir Joseph Lamb

Is it not a fact that the large number of evacuees who have come into the rural areas has overtaxed their capacity for the distribution of supplies?

Major Dugdale

I will ask my hon. and gallant Friend to take note of the points raised by my two hon. Friends.