§ Mr. Priceasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there is a shortage of cheese in the Forest of Dean; that there is a large mining population there for whom cheese is of the utmost importance; and whether he will take steps to secure that a mining area like this shall get a first call on whatever supplies are available, irrespective of whether an increased population has come to the area in recent months?
§ Mr. JohnstoneThe distribution of cheese by the Ministry is based on local pre-war consumption. Cheese is in short supply at present, but on the existing basis distribution in the Forest of Dean is substantially in excess of the average for the rest of the country. My Noble Friend is endeavouring to secure the maximum imports of cheese and meanwhile he has asked the general public to reduce their consumption so that supplies of cheese will be left for those who need it.