HC Deb 10 May 1944 vol 399 cc1902-3
53. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the announcement from the food mission to Australia and New Zealand that the Dominions are likely to increase the supply of meat to this country, he will consider an increase in the meat ration to those workers engaged in heavy work in the war industries, including agriculture, where canteen facilities are not available.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)

Notwithstanding any increased supply of meat that may be received from Australia and New Zealand, the overall supply will not permit of any increase in the existing ration.

Mr. Granville

Does not my right hon. Friend think that a case has been made out for the agricultural worker, who has no industrial canteen and whose wife is not able to go to a British Restaurant? Will he take into consideration, too, the fact that the agricultural worker will be working beside voluntary harvest workers, who will have an additional ration during harvest time?

Mr. Mabane

Certainly there is a case to be met, but not by a system of differential rationing.

60. Mrs. Hardie

asked the Minister of Food why there are such short supplies of beef and mutton and so much pork is provided for rations.

Mr. Mabane

A considerable priority in beef supplies is necessary for the feeding of the Armed Forces of the United Nations, not only in this country, but in America and also in the Southern Pacific. A large proportion of the supplies of mutton, lamb and beef which normally come to this country from Australia and New Zealand are not at present available for civilian consumption here. In substitution for these imports, we are at present receiving meat, mainly pork, from the United States.

Mrs. Hardie

Is the Minister aware that pork is very gross feeding and very unsuitable for hot weather; and can he say why we are importing so much pork?

Mr. Mabane

The question, as my hon. Friend will recognise, is substantially a question of what we can get, and I think most people are agreed that pork is a great deal better than nothing.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Is the Minister's Department not aware that, from May to August, pork is a very unpopular item in the dietary with the housewives of this country?

Viscountess Astor

They would rather have it than nothing.