§ Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Food the reason for his decision to cancel the importation of dried egg packets; and whether before doing so he made inquiries with reference to the substantial number of articles, including fur coats, which are now permitted to be imported from the United States.
§ Sir B. Smithwould refer my hon. Friend to the statement about the supplies of dried egg which I made in the House on 6th February.
§ Flight-Lieutenant Haireasked the Minister of Food if he will give the proportion of Foods Facts recipes published by his Department which have dried egg as one of the ingredients, and if his Department has prepared substitute recipes to assist housewives to overcome the absence of this ingredient.
§ Sir B. SmithThe proportion of Food Facts recipes having dried egg as an ingredient has varied according to the supplies available to the housewife, since my Department has always followed the policy of encouraging the use of plentiful foods, whether they be carrots, potatoes or dried eggs. Now that dried egg is, for the time being, unavailable, alternative recipes will be provided, as far as possible, and as the hon. and gallant Member has no doubt seen, the Food Facts advertisement published on 3rd February contained recipes for eggless cakes and puddings.
§ Flight-Lieutenant Haireasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the removal of dried egg from the domestic ration, he will consider the vegetarian claim to additional foodstuffs besides cheese and margarine.
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§ Sir B. SmithThese sacrifices must be borne by all and I see no reason for giving preferential treatment to any particular section of the community. Nevertheless, like all other consumers, vegetarians will have the advantage of the additional shell eggs which are to be made available this year.