HC Deb 29 May 1946 vol 423 c1158
56. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the death of John Thomas Taylor, South Road, Stourbridge, recently discharged from the R.A.F.; and why his Department refused an application for extra food which would have given him a better chance of resisting the illness from which he died.

Mr. Strachey

The application for extra food was examined urgently by my medical advisers, who did not consider that the course of the illness from which Mr. Taylor was certified to be suffering would be influenced by extra allowances of food. I am deeply sorry to learn of Mr. Taylor's death, but I cannot accept the view that the absence of extra food was in any way a contributory factor.

Mr. Moyle

Is my hon. Friend aware that medical evidence given at the inquest stated that if extra food had been given to this man it would have prolonged his life by enabling him to offer greater resistance to his illness?

Mr. Strachey

The medical evidence submitted to me was in an exactly contrary sense.

Mr. Moyle

In view of the great interest which this matter has aroused, and because I cannot accept my hon. Friend's reply as being satisfactory, I propose to raise the question again on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.