HC Deb 11 April 1945 vol 409 cc1821-2
47. Miss Rathbone

asked the Minister of Food if he will estimate in terms of expenditure, or however else practicable, the proportion of this country's food consumption, excluding, if possible, supplies in bulk to the Armed Forces, which consists of foods for which neither coupons nor points are required, such as bread, oatmeal and some other cereals, potatoes and other vegetables, fruit, fish, sausages and other meat stuffs, cocoa and coffee.

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

I am having information prepared and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as it is available.

Miss Rathbone

Is the right hon. Gentleman yet convinced in any way that many articles of food in this country are not rationed and are in unlimited supply, and in view of this, does he adhere to the extraordinary statement that was made by the Minister in October that we are as strictly rationed as any country in Europe?

Mr. Mabane

I had better answer the Question on the Order Paper first.