§ 55. Miss Eleanor Rathboneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he or his advisers have worked out, in terms of the available 850 commodities, the minimum iron rations necessary to sustain in full health and efficiency heavy workers, adults other than heavy workers, children and infants, respectively; and whether he has considered the possibility of devising a rationing system calculated to ensure that, while the well-to-do were encouraged to consume the more expensive foodstuffs, everyone could secure the approximate equivalent, and no one more than the approximate equivalent, of his appropriate iron ration?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. Certain foods are rationed, and it is the considered policy to allow the maximum possible ration to all rather than differential rations to particular categories. I am satisfied that the diet that can be obtained under existing conditions is adequate. As regards the suggestion contained in the second part of the Question, I am advised that difficulties of distribution would be insuperable.
§ Miss RathboneDo I understand from the Minister's reply that no scientific estimate has been made of how far the country's food resources could be made to suffice if distributed with real equality and lack of waste?
Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, the hon. Lady must not understand that at all. No scientific investigation has been made in regard to iron rations by the Ministry, but plenty of information is available.