HC Deb 01 December 1948 vol 458 cc2003-4
52. Lieut-Commander Clark Hutchison

asked the Minister of Food if he will increase the cheese ration.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summerskill)

We shall be very happy indeed to increase the cheese ration when supplies are large enough to allow us to do so.

Lieut-Commander Clark Hutchison

Is the hon. Lady aware that grocers find it extremely difficult to measure out the present small ration of cheese?

Dr. Summerskill

I must remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that we are obtaining all the cheese that we can get from Canada and non-dollar sources, and now it is a question of having to pay dollars for cheese from the United States.

Mr. Driberg

If my hon. Friend cannot yet grant a general increase in the cheese ration, will she at least reconsider the anomalies arising out of the welcome concession to rural building trade workers and other special classes of workers?

Dr. Summerskill

I have said before, and must say again, that if we have to make more concessions we shall jeopardise the domestic ration.