HC Deb 26 March 1941 vol 370 c588
54. Mr. Simmonds

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps have been taken to prevent shops in evacuation areas from receiving quantities of unrationed commodities in excess of the fair requirements of the reduced population in these areas?

Major Lloyd George

Statistics showing the extent of movements of population have been issued to manufacturers and distributors of foodstuffs, who have been asked to adjust their distribution arrangements accordingly. Further measures of control to regulate the distribution of the more important unrationed commodities are continually being considered. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 3rd December last to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Mr. Robinson), in which I explained that the circumstances of some evacuation areas require special consideration.

Mr. Simmonds

Is it not a fact that, to a very considerable extent, deliveries of these unrationed commodities to retailers in evacuation areas are still based on a percentage of deliveries made to them before the war? Cannot the Minister do something more to implement the policy he has just announced?

Major Lloyd George

We have already circulated to all the manufacturers of this country the changes in population. My hon. Friend will realise that the new schemes now coming forward for jams and preserves, and cheese, will, of course, make it much easier to obtain an equal distribution. We are keeping in mind the constant changes in population in the country.

Mr. Simmonds

Will not the Minister have a check made of the actual deliveries, say, during the present or coming months, to see whether in fact manufacturers are delivering in accordance with this request?