§ 3. Mr. Norman Doddsasked the Minister of Food if he will arrange for an allocation of tea and sugar to ladies' hairdressing establishments to enable cups of tea to be provided to women undergoing the long and tedious process of permanent waving.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that when ladies' hairdressing takes place in a section of a 1151 departmental store which has a restaurant, or when the business is close to a café the law allows as many cups of tea as the customer wants, which is in marked contrast to what happens in the case of the small business in a residential or rural area? Is he not aware that the experts state that to give fair play all round the additional amount of tea required works out at only two tea leaves per week for every five people in this country over 18 years of age?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI am afraid I am not in a position to check the hon. Gentleman's calculations, but the policy is that the issue of rationed food must be confined to catering establishments. Where there is a large store which may have a catering licence, that is all right, but I cannot allow the issue of rationed food to other than catering establishments. I would point out that there is nothing to prevent such places issuing unrationed commodities to their customers who are waiting.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes the Minister suggest that women undergoing this process should have coffee without sugar? If tea rationing is to be abandoned in the near future, this problem will not arise.
§ Mr. Archer BaldwinIn view of the national importance of this Question, would my right hon. and gallant Friend consider giving those concerned the chance of having beer instead of tea if they want it?