§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, why some of the announcements, published by the Ministry of Food in local newspapers on 5th June, made no reference to the right of a householder to collect all new 722W ration books for the household on the same day; why, in some cases, the contrary was indicated and what corrections will be issued?
§ Mr. MabaneIn some areas it is impracticable to complete the issue of documents for early surnames on days when later surnames are being dealt with. The reason for this is that sufficient storage space is not available at the office of distribution for all undistributed documents and these have to be transferred elsewhere for safe keeping. In order to overcome this difficulty, instructions were issued on 1st June to all food executive officers that they should collect the old documents and send by registered post the new documents which they were unable to issue for the reason I have explained. The local advertisements to which my hon. Friend calls attention are inserted by local food offices. Steps are being taken to correct any advertisements brought to the attention of my Department which do not carry out my noble Friend's directions in this matter.