Overseas Visitors (Ration Cards)

HC Deb 18 June 1951 vol 489 cc14-5

17. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Food what steps have been taken to make it known to his own Department as well as to the general public at which food office overseas visitors must attend in order to obtain ration cards.

Mr. Webb

Overseas visitors can obtain ration cards from any local food office, either by post or in person, if they present their passports or travel permits. This information is given in a leaflet handed to them when they arrive in this country. But if the hon. Member has in mind any particular difficulty, and will let me have details, I will gladly look into it. We are anxious to do all we can to make arrangements easy for our visitors, but not all the plans submitted to me are found practicable on examination.

Mr. Russell

Is the Minister aware that an Australian visitor recently went to the Grosvenor Gardens Food Office to obtain a ration card and was sent from there to the Piccadilly Food Office, where he was then told to go back to Grosvenor Gardens? Does he not think that that is a very unsatisfactory way to treat overseas visitors?

Mr. Webb

That is precisely the kind of case of which I should like detailed evidence, which I will certainly look into.

18. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Food if he will arrange to issue ration cards to overseas visitors at their ports of disembarkation or at airports instead of making them attend at a food office.

Mr. Webb

As this proposal would probably cause delay at the ports, I do not think it would be an improvement on our present arrangements which are well-established and generally speaking quite convenient to all concerned.

Mr. Russell

Is it not a fact that most Empire and foreign countries who have rationing adopt a system of issuing cards on arrival; and could not the same system be adopted over here?

Mr. Webb

On the evidence available to me it looks as though our system is, on the whole, quite acceptable and efficient, although there are little irritations here and there. We are not tied to it. and if we can improve it by all means let us do so. I should be glad to consult with the hon. Gentleman about any means of improvement.