§ 59. Mr. Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to implement the pledge given by his Parliamentary Secretary as a result of the introduction of bread rationing and the placing of oatmeal on points, to the effect that people living in isolated parts of Scotland who have in the past always laid in bulk supplies of oatmeal will still be able to do so.
§ Mr. StracheyDivisional food officers in Scotland were, on 1st August, 1946, given full discretion to permit people living in isolated areas in the Highlands and Islands to buy oatmeal in bulk against the surrender of coupons normally valid for a future period. These arrangements are still in force and application should be made to the local food office.
§ Mr. Thornton-KemsleyIs the Minister aware that the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary on 31st July included 857 as well as the Highlands and Isles, all remote areas? What has the Minister done about that?
§ Mr. StracheyI do not think for one moment that we should refuse to consider a remote area in, for instance, the Lowlands of Scotland.
§ Mr. Thornton-KemsleyWill the divisional food officers be told that, because they have no instructions at the moment?
§ Mr. StracheyCertainly, Sir.
§ Mr. SpenceIn Aberdeen the local food officer has no such instructions and many remote areas in Aberdeenshire are isolated in the winter. I checked that on Monday.
§ Mr. StracheyI quite agree that the remoteness of an area—where it lies geographically—should be the criterion, and I shall see that this matter is brought to the attention of the Scottish food authorities.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonCan the Minister tell us why an assurance given on his behalf at the end of the summer has not yet been translated into an instruction?
§ Mr. StracheyI am not accepting for one moment that that is the case. If it is the case then I am giving an undertaking to see that it is remedied.
§ Mr. HudsonThat does not answer my question. Why was the assurance not translated into instructions? The right hon. Gentleman was not present in the House when his Parliamentary Secretary gave the assurance.
§ Mr. StracheyAssuming that the statements which have been made, no doubt in perfect good faith, do represent the facts, I cannot accept them. The right hon. Gentleman has not the slightest idea whether they represent the facts or not.