57 and 63. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food (1) whether, in connection with the quantity of food and. equipment which has been placed in the girls' school in St. John's Parish, Worcester, and which was to be used in case the building was required as a rest centre, he will give the necessary authority to the local authorities to utilise these foodstuffs, which are now deteriorating, with special regard to the food shortage both at home and abroad;
(2) whether, in connection with the quantity of food and equipment which has been placed in the girls' school in St. John's Parish, Worcester, and which was to be used in case the building was required as a rest centre, he will now give the necessary authority to the local authorities to utilise these foodstuffs.
§ Sir B. SmithThese foodstuffs were taken into the Ministry's general stocks on 9th November, 1945.
Mr. De la BèreDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean to tell the House that these foodstuffs are no longer deteriorating as indicated in the Question?
§ Sir B. SmithThe right hon. Gentleman wishes to convey the correct answer to the hon. Member, and that is that they were returned to my stocks on 9th November.
§ 62. Wing-Commander Hulbertasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, consequent upon the removal of large numbers of the population from various towns in England and Wales, the amount of food being allocated to these towns is now excessive; and what action he is taking to reallocate these supplies.
§ Sir B. SmithRationed food supplies are automatically adjusted to population trends. I have no evidence that manufacturers and other distributors of points rationed and unrationed foodstuffs have not adjusted their distribution in accordance with population movements. If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular commodity, I shall be glad to cause investigations to be made.
§ Wing-Commander HulbertIs that adjustment made by the manufacturers or by the Ministry?
§ Sir B. SmithBy my Ministry.