§ 41 and 42. Mr. Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Minister of Food (1) how many of the 673,000 and the 932,000 ration books reported as lost or destroyed during the ration years 1945–46 and 1946–47 respectively were subsequently 'returned to his Department; and on what grounds he 96W is satisfied that these losses do not represent a black market leakage;
(2) how many persons who reported the loss of a ration book during the ration year 1946–47 had reported the loss of a ration book during the previous ration year.
§ Dr. SummerskillI am afraid the statistical information for which the hon. Member asks is not fully available. We, have, however, had special inquiries made in the London Division, where about 20 per cent. of lost books are recovered. In Scotland 2 per cent. of those applying for duplicate ration books lost more than one in a year. There is no evidence of an organised market of any sort in ration Looks.