§ 1 Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that many gypsies are without ration books; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this in the near future.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Maurice Webb)I do not think that any special measures are either called for or are practicable. There are already arrangements to enable any person living in this country to get a ration book on application. If these people are without ration books it is their own fault, and they must take steps to get them. I know of no way in which I can take responsibility for exercising the personal rights of any free citizen in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. DoddsIs not this another example of how little is known of the gypsy population of this country? Is my right hon. Friend aware of the campaign which is now hounding gypsies from one place to another? Is he further aware that the fact that very few of them can either read or write makes it necessary for the Government to recognise that the gypsies are a minority problem and should be given the same facilities as are afforded to other people?
§ Mr. WebbAll the facilities are there. It is open to any gypsy, or any other person who has citizen rights in this country, to exercise them. Merely by going into any local food office they can exercise their rights in this matter. Beyond that I do not see what I can do.