§ 47. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Minister of Production if he is aware that because of the shortage of cap paper, imitation parchment and wrapping paper, many butchers and purveyors of cooked meats are compelled to resort to the practice of wrapping meat in used or unsold newspapers, which is unhygienic and is resented by most housewives; and if he will consider a more generous increase in the supply of wrapping paper for the meat and provision branches of the food trades.
§ The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)The present allocation of wrapping paper for the food trades is the maximum which can be made available, having regard to the paper position generally, and I can hold out no hope of an early increase. Supplies for this purpose are carefully planned in consultation with the Ministry of Food, to ensure that hygienic considerations are not overlooked. The food trades will have benefited from an increase in the supply of paper bags a short time ago.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs the Minister aware that grave inconvenience is being caused in the food trades by the shortage of paper? Does he not think it is wholly distasteful to receive one's bacon ration or a pork chop stamped with "Jane," or some other comic cartoon; and is it not the case that many butchers are actually using newspapers to-day?
§ Mr. LytteltonI am very much concerned about hygienic conditions but I am afraid we shall have to put up with the inconvenience.
Dr. MorganMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that many of the oils used in printing have cancer-carrying properties? Is it not dangerous for food to be wrapped in newspapers?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe hon. Member is rather out of my depth.