§ 66. Mr. McEnteeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what percentage of food ration books have been lost by the public during the year to the latest date for which figures are available; what proportion have subsequently been reported as found and returned to the owners or to his Department?
§ Mr. MabaneIt is estimated that the total number of books reported lost in the rationing year were approximately 0.9 per cent. of the total issue. About 25 per cent. of the total number of books lost were found and returned to the owners without replacements being necessary. A further 5 per cent. were found after duplicate books had been issued.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether in checking up on lost ration books, visits are ever made by enforcement officers to see whether applicants have reserve stocks of food in relation to the points which are issued with the ration books; and is it not important that a check should be made in many cases?
§ Mr. MabaneI should not have thought that the two processes naturally linked with one another.