§ 52. Mr. Purbrickasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will make an order to provide for the exchange of rationed foods between individuals, the foods having originally been acquired on coupons?
§ 54. Sir William Davisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to a recent case deciding that, under existing Regulations, it is illegal, involving liability to punishment, for anyone to give away to another or to exchange any portion of his legally obtained rations; and whether the necessary steps will be taken to amend the law in this regard?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)I am aware of two prosecutions in the last few months in which penalties have been imposed for a breach of the Regulation which makes it an offence to give away rationed foods. Both these cases illustrate the abuses that might occur if no such Regulation existed. The Regulation has been in force since the beginning of food rationing; and I understand is similar in form to the Regulation which existed in the last war. The extent to which those who are entitled to foodstuffs, whether rationed directly or on points, do not take up their full entitlement is perhaps not commonly realised. While it is not in the public interest to reveal the precise figures, I may say that it is very substantial It will be seen therefore that to permit freely gifts of rationed foods by those who, while entitled to them, do not for various reasons at present take up their rations, might open the way to considerable "black market" activities and might also increase substantially the total amount of foodstuffs required to be imported with a consequent and serious increase of the burden upon shipping capacity. At the same time my Noble Friend has no desire to interfere with gifts of rationed foods entirely innocent in character, and I would point out that there have been no prosecutions, nor has it ever been the intention of my Noble Friend to authorise prosecutions in connection with gifts of rationed foods that were innocent in intention. My Noble Friend is considering with great care whether an amendment of the law is desirable and practicable, and I shall be obliged if my hon. Friends will not press me for a final answer which I am not at the present moment in a position to give but will instead accept my assurance that the matter is receiving the most sympathetic consideration by my Noble Friend.
§ Sir W. DavisonWhile thanking my hon. Friend for the latter part of his 1154 answer, may I ask him, in giving consideration to the matter, to bear in mind the rather absurd position which has arisen? While people are forbidden to give away part of their ration, if they have the persons concerned in their houses those persons may consume it there, or if the ration is made into a pudding or a cake it may also be given away.
§ Mr. MabaneYes, Sir, certainly.
§ Sir W. DavisonThank you.