HC Deb 21 January 1948 vol 446 cc187-9
36. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the daily calorie value of the called up ration in each of the six weeks ending 17th January, 1948, in the Provinces of North-Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg, respectively.

Mr. McNeil

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Stokes

Could my right hon. Friend give some idea of what they are? That is no answer at all.

Mr. McNeil

My hon. Friend put down the Question, and there are a fair number of figures.

Following is the reply:

Normal Consumers' Ration. North Rhine Westphalia Hamburg
Week ending: Calories per day. Calories per day.
14th Dec. 1947 … 1,366 1,456
21st Dec. 1947 … 1,366 1,369
28th Dec. 1947 … 1,261 1,317
4th Jan, 1948 … 1,106 1,317
11th Jan. 1948 … 1,242 1,438
18th Jan. 1948 … 1,071 1,276

The ration level quoted above applies to approximately one-third of the whole non-farm population of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg. Supplementary rations issued to workers of various categories, and pregnant women and nursing mothers, raise the average ration level of the non-farm population by about 300 calories. It is hoped that the ration figure for the present week in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg will be somewhat higher.

37. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the estimate of the daily calorie value of the monthly ration to be called up in each of the four months ending 31st May, 1948, in the Provinces of North-Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg, respectively.

Mr. McNeil

No recommendations have yet been received from the German Administration in Frankfurt for the ration call-up after 1st February, 1948, as the quantities of indigenous and imported foodstuffs available cannot yet be assessed. Everything possible is being done to restore and maintain throughout this quarter the ration level in force before the recent food crisis.

Mr. Stokes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, before the recent crisis, and despite the promised 1,550 basis of calories, the rations were down to 1,200, and, in some districts, are now expected to go down to 950? What is he going to do about it?

Mr. McNeil

I must say in our defence that we and the Americans have fulfilled exactly the undertakings we gave about imported food. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the difference has been due to faults in the collection of indigenous foods, and we cannot really do more by long-term planning than we have done. My right hon. Friend and my noble Friend are in consultation at this moment.

Mr. Stokes

But is my right hon. Friend aware that that is not correct, and that, in fact, we have not lived up to our promises, but have kept on saying that the rations would be kept up to 1,550 when they have not been for over a year?

Mr. McNeil

I repeat that the undertakings we gave with regard to imported food we have discharged.

Mr. Piratin

In view of the fact that the former Chancellor of the Duchy informed the House a year ago about this problem, what steps has the Minister taken to collect all the grain and other foods which are abundant in the country but which are in the hands of black marketeers?

Mr. McNeil

We are taking some steps in regard to the German problem which I gather have not yet had the approval of the hon. Gentleman.