§ 57. Mr. Boothbyasked the Minister of Food whether he will now rescind the regulations affecting the prices that may be charged, and the number of courses served, in hotels, clubs and restaurants.
§ Dr. SummerskillI think we must be very sure the time is ripe before we do this. My right hon. Friend will certainly consider it.
§ Mr. BoothbyDoes the right hon. Lady realise that this scheme was introduced mainly for psychological reasons and purely as a wartime expedient, and that it has long since outlived its usefulness and does not economise food in the slightest degree?
§ Dr. SummerskillSurely the hon. Gentleman would agree that in these days of austerity we should not encourage what might be called ostentatious feeding.
§ Mr. TurtonShanklin!
§ Dr. SummerskillFurthermore, the hon. Gentleman has overlooked that if we were to relax this restriction, hotels would tend to try to have more than their fair share of unrationed foods.
§ Mr. PiratinAre we to understand from the answer of the right hon. Lady that the matter of prices is being considered or that the second part of the Question—the number of courses—is being considered; and may I ask her not to reconsider the number of courses as that is governed by the price?
§ Dr. SummerskillWe reconsider this matter from time to time in view of the tourist traffic.
§ Mr. KeelingWill the right hon. Lady enumerate the other countries in the world where compulsory austerity still obtains?
§ Mr. Francis Noel-BakerIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of feeling in the country about the proportion of food that is being diverted to luxury feeding, and will she please give an assurance that she does not propose in the immediate future to relax the present restrictions in any way?
§ Dr. SummerskillI agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's question but I am not prepared to commit my right hon. Friend at this stage on the second part of it.