HC Deb 08 July 1946 vol 425 cc24-5
50. Mr. Molson

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the present official rations in the American zone of Germany and the actual estimated consumption of calories per head in that zone; and how each of these compares with the comparable figures in the British zone.

Mr. J. Hynd

There has been no change in the official ration scales in the British zone of Germany, and I am aware of no effective change in the American zone, since my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Ludlow (Lieut.-Colonel Corbett), on 13th May, which included detailed figures for both zones. In general, the rations issued have been kept up to the official scales. No reliable estimate can be given of the actual consumption per head because, as I pointed out in my reply of 13th- May, the supplementary foodstuffs available vary from place to place.

Mr. Molson

Is it not a fact that, since 13th May, the Lord President of the Council has been to Washington and has arrived at an agreement with the State Department that the rations in the British zone should be brought up to the level of the rations in the American zone? Will the hon. Gentleman take up with his right hon. Friend the facts, as disclosed in his answer, that the American Government are not carrying out the undertaking that was given?

Mr. Hynd

The hon. Member is misinterpreting the position. There was no agreement on the part of the Lord President of the Council that the ration scales in the British zone should be brought up to the scales applying in the American zone. There was an agreement in regard to the achievement of common ration standards and about assessment of the ration standards.

Mr. Molson

Is it not the same thing?

Mr. Hynd

No, Sir. It was not agreed that rations in the British zone should immediately be brought up to those in the American zone.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

Was it not agreed, anyhow, that the ration scale in the American and British zones should become the same? Has that happened?

Mr. Hynd

The purpose of the agreement that was reached was that common ration standards should be established, and consultations for the achievement of that purpose are going on

Mr. Nicholson

Did I understand the Minister to say that the differing availability of supplemental foodstuffs vitiated the validity of comparative figures in this respect? If I did, will he call the attention of the Minister of Food to that point, in view of the speech which that Minister made last week?

Mr. Hynd

All I said was that, as I mentioned in my reply of 13th May, there are certain circumstances such as the availability of supplementary food. That would include sharing out between families on different standards, as between heavy workers or nursing mothers and the normal consumers. That fact makes it impossible for the point in the Question to be answered as to how much any particular individual is consuming or whether the actual ration scales are being received and consumed by the individual.