§ Mr. Grovesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, why his 221W Department are now proceeding with the second stage of emergency feeding arrangements by the provision of self-contained kitchens in the area of the Rochford, Essex, Council, in view of the fact that they are unnecessary as the regional commissioner has instructed that previous residents may return only under conditions which are extremely severe?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe self-contained kitchen or cooking depot referred to by my hon. Friend is being established in the Rochford area in pursuance of the policy of providing emergency feeding facilities in the hinterland of vulnerable towns. Under emergency conditions the depot would supply hot cooked food not only to the emergency meals centres but also, by arrangement with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, to certain rest centres in the area. In addition to their function of providing hot meals under emergency conditions, the cooking depots which have been established by local authorities on behalf of the Ministry of Food are being used for day-to-day meals services, supplying hot cooked food in heat-retaining containers to British Restaurants and industrial and school canteens. I understand that the daily output of the Rochford Depot will be utilised in part for the feeding of school children in the area.