Food Supplies (Hansard, 7 December 1971)

§ 26. Mr. Rankin
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what in pounds per head per annum is the food supply available, on average, for consumption by persons in the United Kingdom; if he is satisfied that it is sufficient; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Prior
Details of average food supplies available for consumption by the population of the United Kingdom are given in an article in Trade and Industry dated 15th July, 1971. The nutrient and energy content of these supplies is well above the average needs of the population.

§ Mr. Rankin
I do not ask for an answer from the paper which the Minister quoted. Is not it a very slick practice for the right hon. Gentleman to quote from a newspaper which he cannot show us to prove his statistics and to use it for the purpose of deceiving a Member—[HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."]—who has waited for over half an hour for an answer? The right hon. Gentleman could have told me that when I came into the House today. Does he agree that the figures are available, that the source is in his control in the House, and that the figures show—[HON. MEMBERS: "Too long."]—that fish, meat and butter are all selling at 8s. a pound? Does he believe that the old folk can become very festive when they have to pay those prices for their food at the festive season—

Hon. Members
Speech.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Even Nestor occasionally had the closure applied.

§ Mr. Rankin
On a point of order—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Gentleman first made a speech and then asked about three supplementary questions. The Minister must now be allowed to answer.

§ Mr. Rankin
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I have your guidance—

§ Mr. Speaker
Not yet. The Minister must be allowed to answer.

§ Mr. Prior
I apologise to the hon. Gentleman if he thinks that I was trying to deceive him. I was afraid that my answer might be as long as his supplementary question. The figures are available in the Library in the publication I mentioned. I will send them to the hon. Gentleman if he would like to have them.

§ Mr. Rankin
I have got them.

§ Mr. Prior
One of the comments made in the paper was that the major manifestation of poor nutrition in this country is more likely to be an excessive energy intake in relation to requirements leading to over-weight in some people.

§ Mr. Speaker
Mr. Scott-Hopkins.

§ Mr. Rankin
On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall try to raise the matter before Christmas.

§ Mr. Scott-Hopkins
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I heard you call my name for a supplementary question before you heard the point of order of the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin).

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The matter must rest where it now does.