HC Deb 18 October 1944 vol 403 cc2374-5
58. Mr. Francis Beattie

asked the Minister of Food whether he can find it possible to make available any additional supplies of food for enjoyment by the British public at Christmas time.

Colonel Llewellin

Yes, Sir, this will be the sixth Christmas since the beginning of the war and the people of this country are entitled to such extras as the supply position allows. At Christmas we think first of the children and I have decided that everyone between the ages of six months and 18 years shall be entitled to an extra ration of a half-pound of sweets during the ration period commencing on 10th December. Secondly, during the same ration period for every person with a ration book there will be an additional half-pound of margarine and half-pound of sugar. These, plus the extra dried fruits we are putting on the market, will, I hope, help them to make better Christmas cakes and puddings and things of that sort.

I hope that there will be a few more turkeys this year than last, and we are making similar arrangements for distribution to those made last year. I have also decided to increase the meat ration from 1s. 2d. to 1s. 10d. for the week preceding Christmas Day. We have already started a distribution of oranges and in addition I am making a considerable quantity of dates available, which will be obtainable on points at the small expenditure of one point per ¼ lb. packet.

Having started with the children I come finally to the old people. I am glad that my supply of tea is now sufficient to increase the ration for everyone of 70 years of age and upwards by 1 oz. of tea a week. This will not be limited to Christmas but will start on 10th December and will, I hope, continue throughout the whole of 1945.

Mr. Beattie

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend give some further particulars regarding the extra dried fruits to which he referred?

Colonel Llewellin

There will be 22,000 tons of sultanas, 4,000 tons of raisins and 9,000 tons of dates. The dates amount to 80,000,000 small packets.

Miss Rathbone

Can we be assured that the very welcome extra supplies will not, in any way, diminish the amount of food available to be sent to the liberated countries of Europe which have suffered so much?

Colonel Llewellin

I am one of those who take the view that the people of this country, who have been on as strict rationing as anybody during these years of war, are entitled to something more.

Captain Macdonald

While welcoming the addition to the rations, may I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend to consider increasing the amount of beer and spirits available?

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend, in his newfound rôle of Father Christmas, see that his cargo includes toys; and will he press the President of the Board of Trade to help in that direction?