§ Major Petoasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the waste of food involved by the enforcement of the law which makes it obligatory for sandwiches or other food to be served if alcoholic refreshment is required after certain hours; and whether this condition can be waived in the interests of economising food during the war?
§ Mr. PeakeI presume my hon. Friend refers to the supper hour extensions under the Licensing Acts where, under a justices' certificate, drink may be sold, supplied and consumed with a meal in certain establishments after the normal permitted hours, if the drink is ancillary to substantial refreshment served at the same time. Waste of food is an offence under the Waste of Food Order, 1940, and no evidence of its waste in consequence of these licensing provisions has been brought to my notice, nor has the Minister of Food nor the Commissioner of Police, whom I have consulted, had any information to that effect. There would not therefore appear to be a case at present for the suggested amendment of the law.