HC Deb 07 April 1949 vol 463 cc2212-3
84. Mr. Symonds

asked the Minister of Food the proportions in which rationed meat is distributed as between the domestic ration and all other purposes, giving as many subdivisions of the latter as possible.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summer-skill)

The proportions of ration meat, that is excluding meat for manufacture, distributed during 1948 as between the domestic ration and all other purposes were approximately:

Domestic ration, 82.7 per cent.

Canteens, schools and industrial, 8.3 per cent.

Commercial caterers, 3.1 per cent.

Other catering establishments—staff dining rooms, Civic Restaurants, clubs, etc., 1.3 per cent.

Institutions, 2.4 per cent.

Services ration meat, 1.1 per cent.

Ships' stores, 1.1 per cent.

Mr. Symonds

As these figures apply to 1948, can my right hon. Friend say whether they remain very much the same following the recent cut or do the proportions vary?

Dr. Summerskill

The proportions for commercial restaurants, of course, reflect the cut. Those for schools remain the same.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Will the right hon. Lady discourage Questions asking that the meat ration shall be subdivided as much as possible because it is almost completely invisible?

Major Tufton Beamish

Is the right hon. Lady aware that there is continued discontent in the rural areas because many agricultural workers feel that far too large a proportion of the best meat goes to the industrial areas? Will she look into that very carefully?

Dr. Summerskill

That is not a fact.