§ 38. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Food why it was necessary for the Food 1727 (Points Rationing) Order, 1947 (Amendment No. 9) Order, 1948 (S.I., 1948, No. 846) to come into operation on 25th April, the day after it was made and before it could be laid before Parliament; and why longer notice was not given of the provisions of the order.
§ Mr. StracheyThe order came into operation on 25th April because that was the first day of a new rationing period. The order revises the points values of certain foods, and decisions upon the revision of points values cannot be made until the latest information about stocks is available. If such changes in points values were known to the public in advance, the equitable operation of the Points Rationing Scheme would be impossible. It was, therefore, neither desirable nor possible to make the order until immediately before the changes were to operate.