§ 99. Sir W. Darlingasked the Minister of Food what function the Overseas Gift Allocation Centre, Portman Square, serves; on whose authority do they receive overseas gifts of fruit; and what system is adopted in their allocation of such property to hospitals.
§ Mr. StracheyThe Overseas Gifts (Food) Allocation Centre of my Department was formed by agreement with the Dominions and Colonies concerned to distribute their gifts sent in bulk. It is seldom called upon to deal with fruit, which is perishable, but if gifts sent to individuals exceed the permitted weight, and are confiscated, they are usually sent by my officers to local hospitals to avoid deterioration.