§ Major CHAPPLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the 2 ozs. of bread per meal he advises the people to forgo could be made up by the dilution of wheaten flour with the articles of food now being destroyed in the manufacture of intoxicating liquors.?
Captain BATHURSTI did not advise people to forego 2 ozs. of bread per meal, but to limit their consumption to this amount. I cannot accept the suggestion2406W that the whole food value of the raw materials of intoxicating liquors is destroyed in its manufacture. The malt so used could, as I have repeatedly stated, be employed to a certain extent for the dilution of wheaten flour, but its use would certainly not be an adequate alternative to the exercise of the general economy advocated in the speech to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Major CHAPPLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has experienced any difficulty in persuading the people that there is or is likely to be a shortage of food; and, if so, will he take steps to ascertain whether this scepticism is due to the refusal of everyone to believe that the Government can have any anxiety on the subject while they continue to permit the destruction of the people's food in the manufacture of intoxicating drink?
Captain BATHURSTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The fact that intoxicating drink has been drastically reduced in output, with a resulting enormous increase in its price, ought, I think, to have made it apparent that the Government realise the need for conserving cereals.