§ Mr. W. D. Griffithsasked the Minister of Food how many catering licences have been granted to works canteens in the city of Manchester; and how this number compares with the figures for 1944 and 1945.
§ Mr. StracheyThere were 306 industrial canteens operating under licence from the Ministry of Food in the city of Manchester at 30th June, 1946; the corresponding figure for 1945 was 243 and for 1944 it was 204.
§ Mr. C. Smithasked the Minister of Labour how many industrial canteens have been opened during the five months ended 31st May, 1946; and for which industries they catered.
§ Mr. StracheyI have been asked to reply. Figures are not available for May, but up to the end of April of this year, 1,693 industrial canteens were opened in Great Britain; allowing for the canteens which closed during that period, there was a net increase of 224. I regret that information is not available regarding the industries catered for.
§ Mr. C. Smithasked the Minister of Labour the number of industrial canteens at present in existence and the weekly average number of main meals served in them.
§ Mr. StracheyI have been asked to reply. There were 19,928 industrial canteens in use on 30th April, 1946, and the average weekly number of main meals served during the eight weeks ending 14th 275W November, 1945, was 12,090,000. This figure includes meals served at a number of catering establishments which receive the Category B industrial allowance because 60 per cent. or more of their customers are industrial workers.