§ 51. Sir W. Smithersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food approximately how much paper, petrol, flour, transport, shipping space and labour is used in the distribution of ice-cream; and will he issue an order to forbid the sale of ice-cream to take effect immediately and not wait till September?
§ Mr. MabaneParticulars under all the different headings enumerated in the Question are not available. Over 1,000 tons a year of paper and board are used for wrapping ice-cream, whilst road and rail transport is a heavy item, because of 35 the weight of the insulated containers. Petrol allocations to ice-cream makers have been reduced, in common with those to other industries, but a considerable Dumber of vehicles are engaged on wholesale distribution. No petrol is allocated for retail distribution. My Noble Friend is not prepared to make a Prohibition Order to come into force immediately, as the result of such an Order would be to entail considerable wastage of raw materials which have already been partly processed or allocated to the ice-cream industry.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWhy is this useful food being prohibited at all?
§ Mr. MabaneThat is a different question.