Miss Wardasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether in view of the increased sweet ration to the civilian population, he has made arrangements with the prisoners of war organisation to increase the ration of plain chocolate sent to prisoners?
§ Mr. MabaneThere are two types of parcels sent to prisoners of war by the war organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem. There are the food parcels sent by the organisation on its own behalf and there are also parcels which are sent by the organisation to prisoners of war on behalf of their next of kin. As regards the first type of parcels, the organisation has made no request for permission to include larger quantities of confectionery. If such a request were made it would be acceded to, but as the parcels are limited to a weight of 10 lbs. extra confectionery could be included only at the expense of other items. As regards the latter type of parcels, an increase has recently been allowed in the quantity of chocolate included in the parcels by the organisation,172W and in addition prisoners' relations can themselves contribute confectionery out of their own rations.