HC Deb 09 December 1942 vol 385 cc1568-9
47. Major Vyvyan Adams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what percentage of home-killed meat have the Jewish citizens in Leeds and district received during the last three months; and what percentage of home-killed meat have the non-Jewish citizens in that area received during the same period?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)

Jews who are precluded by their religious observances from eating non-Kosher meat will have registered with Kosher butchers and in that way will receive the whole of their supply in home-killed meat. This arises from the fact that Kosher meat can only be provided from home-killed animals and it therefore follows that persons who eat only Kosher meat consume 100 per cent. home-killed. The non-Jewish citizens of Leeds and district and those Jews who are not registered with Kosher butchers received, during the last three months, about 48 per cent. of their meat ration in the form of home-killed meat. I should explain that a full ration of Kosher meat is not guaranteed and from time to time the full ration has, in fact, not been received by the Jews registered with Kosher butchers.

Major Adams

Is there, in fact, a fair allocation of available resources as between the Jewish and Christian communities?

Mr. Mabane

I think so, having regard to the qualification I made, that Kosher meat must be home-killed.

Major Adams

Does not that answer mean that in most cases—

Mr. Speaker

rose