§ 14. Mr. Bingasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the unofficial rationing scheme for wines and spirits, by which a customer receives a quota of prewar purchases, precludes many returned soldiers and persons who have lost their homes through enemy action obtaining these supplies at Christmas time; and whether, in consequence, he will consider alternative or supplementary methods of rationing.
§ Mr. StracheyI would like to help but I do not think we could introduce a rationing scheme for wines and spirits today, especially as supplies are now beginning to increase appreciably.
§ Mr. BingDoes the Minister consider it entirely satisfactory that the only criterion for obtaining a bottle of port today is having bought two in 1938? Will he, therefore, consider the possibility of arranging with local food offices to make some other form of distribution for the many evacuated persons and returned soldiers?
§ Mr. StracheyI see the difficulty, but in all these schemes, short of a thorough rationing scheme, there are bound to be anomalies, but I do not think we could tackle, or should tackle, a thorough rationing scheme.