§ 76. Mr. G. Macdonaldasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to what extent British Restaurants are provided in Lancashire; and what steps are being taken to secure a rapid increase?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThere are 33 British Restaurants and six cooking depots in operation in Lancashire, serving approximately 16,000 meals daily. Plans for a further 26 restaurants and 12 cooking depots have been approved, and these restaurants and depots are in varying stages of completion. In addition, schemes for 60 British Restaurants and 311 five cooking depots are under consideration. The officers of the Ministry of Food are maintaining close contact with local authorities with the object of stimulating the development of British Restaurants wherever they are required, and of advising local authorities of the facilities provided by the Ministry, which include technical advice, the supply of equipment from the Ministry's pool, and advice on menus and dietetic questions.
78. Miss Cazaletasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in order to maintain the highest standard, any scheme has yet been devised for the regular inspection of British Restaurants?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThere is a staff of experienced catering officers whose duties include the regular inspection of British Restaurants throughout the country to ensure that they are conducted efficiently and economically and that they meet the requirements of the areas in which they are established. These catering officers work in co-operation with food advice officers, who advise as to the best use of foodstuffs which are available from time to time and furnish menus suitable for use in British Restaurants.
Miss CazaletCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say how many catering officers there are for this purpose; and is he also aware that while many of these British Restaurants are excellent in every way there are others which fail to come up to that standard, and does he not think that the highest standard should be established throughout the country?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI certainly agree with that. In every one that I have visited I have found that the standard is extremely high. We have about 14 officers altogether, and this number is to be increased. I can assure my hon. Friend that we do mean to see that inspection is carried through.
Viscountess AstorIs it not true that even in the same town it is difficult to get the same standard in all the restaurants? It is one of the most difficult things to do, because cooks vary.
§ 83. Mr. T. Smithasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what progress is being made with regard to the provision of canteen facilities in the countryside?
Major Lloyd GeorgeExperience so far indicates that the demand for British Restaurant facilities in country districts varies according to the season and from district to district. Several experimental schemes are at present in operation and information regarding these is being communicated to divisional food officers throughout the country for guidance in dealing with proposals submitted by local authorities. In the Sevenoaks rural district, 100 meals are being served daily in the British Restaurant at Penshurst and, in addition, a further 130 meals daily are delivered by van to outlying villages. Each of which is served in this fashion once weekly. At Kemsing and Edenbridge, 130 and 150 meals respectively are distributed daily to cash-and-carry customers, and also by van. In six of the Eastern counties, a mobile service to 145 villages was operated during the harvest period, and over 750 meals and 60,000 snacks were sold in each week. In Somerset, arrangements are being made for two fully equipped mobile canteens to be stationed in villages for a short period, in order to test the demand for permanent British Restaurants. If "there is evidence of reasonable demand, restaurants will be established.