§ 59. Mrs. Beatrice Wrightasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why priority is not given to war nurseries to procure oranges and dried eggs, at least when these articles are released to the general public?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)Wartime nurseries may obtain supplies of oranges and dried eggs direct on behalf of the children attending them if the children's parents are agreeable to this, and will lend the ration books for the purpose. It would not, however, be reasonable to give nurseries priority supplies of oranges and dried eggs in addition to the supplies which children attending them are individually entitled to obtain.
§ Mrs. WrightIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is some discrepancy in the carrying-out of this regulation locally, that some nurseries are not aware of the privileges they have and that some parents are not aware of their responsibility in connection with these war nurseries? Very often the nurseries are unable to get dried eggs because the parents will not co-operate.
§ Mr. MabaneIf the hon. Lady will give me details, I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenIn view of the fact that an enormous quantity of oranges is unfit for sale on arrival in this country and in view of the bad system of handling oranges by retailers, cannot the Ministry import orange juice instead of oranges and distribute it through nurseries, clinics and schools?
§ Mr. MabaneThat is a different question.