HC Deb 25 July 1949 vol 467 cc1783-4
1. Brigadier Rayner

asked the Minister of Food on what conditions pieces of wedding or birthday cake can be sent out of the country.

The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)

Wedding or birthday cake can be sent out of the country either in gift food parcels, when not more than 2 lb. may be sent, and if the cake is not home-made an equal quantity of rationed food must be included; or by letter post, where the packet must not weigh more than 6 oz. gross and must comply with the postal regulations of the country to which it is addressed.

Brigadier Rayner

Is it not rather absurd that people should not be able to send birthday or wedding cake in 2 oz. pieces out of the country without all that extra food; cannot the Minister make it easier to send the usual little packets which people like to send?

Mr. Strachey

The hon. and gallant Member must have misheard me. I said 2 lb., not 2 oz.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Is this system merely to prevent people abroad from knowing that we still have the courage to get married in this country, or what?

Mr. Strachey

These are the postal regulations which cover parcel post and letter post respectively.

Brigadier Rayner

Will the Minister discuss the matter with his right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General to see whether it is not possible to send 2 oz. packets of birthday or wedding cake, as they used to be sent before the war?

Mr. Strachey

By letter post it is possible to send up to 6 oz. and by parcel post up to 2 lb.