40. Commander, Maitlandasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the village of Hogsthorpe, Lincolnshire, has no butcher with a manufacturing licence nearer than Skegness, which is nine miles away; and whether he will consider modifying the requirement to produce separate accounts for the pork and general butchers business previously carried out, which, if not satisfied, prevents the issue of a Group IV licence, in order that small county businesses may be enabled to cater for the needs of rural populations who habitually take pack meals to their work.
§ Mr. StracheyGeneral butchers (including the local butcher at Hogsthorpe) receive an allowance of meat for manufacturing purposes at the flat rate of seven per cent. of their ration quantities. They are only entitled to an additional allocation as Group IV manufacturers if they carried on a separate pork butchery business before the war. I regret that I cannot relax the qualifying conditions. The establishment of Rural Pie Schemes has been encouraged to provide packed meals for workers in rural areas. I understand, however, that the scheme which used to operate in the neighbourhood of Hogsthorpe was closed down in February of this year owing to the declining demand for the facilities it provided. Perhaps it could be revived by local initiative.
§ Commander MaitlandIf I give the Minister details of the reasons for revising this system, will he consider them? Will he give nutritional leadership in this matter?
§ Mr. StracheyCertainly. We should like to see schemes which serve a useful purpose. I think the initiative should arise locally, but we shall certainly help.