§ 67. Lieutenant Butcherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that consider- 1308 able quantities of food suitable for human consumption continue to be thrown away or sent for pig food; and what steps he is taking to prevent this waste?
§ Mr. MabaneI have no knowledge of any substantial quantity of food suitable for human consumption being destroyed or fed to pigs. The salvage organisation of the Ministry of Food, which has offices in a number of the large towns throughout the country, is actively engaged in the recovery of damaged foodstuffs and the closest liaison is maintained with the health authorities. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish particulars of any specific cases of waste of food I will cause an inquiry to be made.
§ Lieutenant ButcherI am much obliged.
§ Mr. BanfieldWill the Parliamentary Secretary be good enough to look into the question of bread being wasted day by day, amounting to a very considerable quantity; and will his Department see whether some propaganda cannot be issued bringing home to the public the necessity of not wasting bread?
§ Mr. MabaneI am very glad of that Supplementary Question. I am sure that it will call attention to the great need of economising in this, as in other, foodstuffs.
§ Sir Percy HarrisWill the hon. Gentleman issue a warning to people who throw bread about in the streets, as I have seen lots of bread just thrown about?
§ Mr. MabaneI have not seen anything of that sort, and I am very glad of the assistance of the right hon. Gentleman in this matter.
§ Sir Malcolm RobertsonWill the Parliamentary Secretary also have a look at St. James's Park, where people feed the gulls with bread?
§ Mr. MabaneThere are lots of gulls about.