§ 47. Mr. Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how soon he expects to realise his hope of increasing the meat ration of miners and industrial workers; whether agricultural workers will be included; and whether, in order to expedite such an increase, he has considered narrowing the present wide disparity between the quantity of meat and bacon issued to men and women in the Forces who draw rations in kind and the quantity obtainable by heavy workers?
Major Lloyd GeorgeIt is not at present proposed to give a higher individual meat ration to any class of the community. Wherever possible, however, every encouragement is being given to the establishment of canteens for miners and industrial workers and these canteens receive an allowance of meat based on the number of main meals they serve, and where there are no cooking facilities arrangements for 186 supplies of meat pies, sausage rolls and meat sandwiches can be made. Moreover, as my hon. Friend will probably be aware, substantial increases have recently been made in the releases of meat for manufacture into sausages, meat pies and similar unrationed meat products. These increases have been granted to butchers generally and workers, in addition to obtaining meals at canteens, should be able to obtain their fair share of the additional supplies for consumption at home. The relationship between the rations of Service personnel and of civilians was carefully reviewed in the early part of this year and a reduction was made in the amount of Service rations. My Noble Friend sees no ground for any further action in this matter at present.
§ Mr. KeelingDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend really believe that men and women in the Services in this country at this moment require much more meat and double the amount of bacon that munition workers, agricultural workers and miners receive, quite apart from what they get at canteens? Will he look into this matter?
Major Lloyd GeorgeMy hon. Friend will appreciate that this matter is decided by the medical advisers of the Services and that we have been into this question before.