§ Mr. Lindsayasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many local authorities in evacuation areas are operating national restaurants; and how many authorities have made preparations for such feeding arrangements in case air raids should make common feeding of the homeless a necessity?
Major Lloyd GeorgeSchemes for community kitchens have been approved by the Ministry of Food in 35 towns in evacuation areas, and in 39 towns in reception areas. Of the total of 74, about 20 local authorities have schemes actually in operation, but precise details are not available. In addition, the Ministry have under consideration schemes for approximately 70 local authorities. The London County Council are operating the Londoners Meals Service at 147 centres, and the Ministry of Food have assumed responsibility for community kitchens in 289 reception areas, which hitherto have been operated under the auspices of the Ministry of Health solely for evacuees, but which will now be open to the general public. These figures are exclusive of the rest centres for the homeless and destitute, which are provided by public assistance authorities under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, and are also exclusive of the emergency feeding centres which are being set up by the local authorities in all the larger towns under the auspices of the Ministry of Food.