§ 54. Mr. E. Walkdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the many cases of falsified returns whereby evidence has shown that numerous hotel and canteen caterers have secured excessive supplies of rationed food, and to ensure more adequate protection of the nation's food supplies, he has taken steps to make drastic changes in the administrative system?
§ Mr. MabaneMy Noble Friend is fully seized of the importance of this matter, and therefore keeps the system of control of supplies of food to catering establishments under continuous review. Changes are now being introduced especially designed to improve the methods used for checking the accuracy of the returns rendered to Food Offices by catering establishments of all kinds.
§ Mr. WalkdenWhile I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, does he ever have consultations with the local food officers as to methods or suggestions which they themselves would like to make, as consultation with the local officials on this important issue is very vital?
§ Mr. MabaneYes, Sir. It is the habit of my Noble Friend and myself to visit the various food divisions with that particular object in mind, and I am to be in Bristol on Friday for that very purpose.