§ 94. Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for War how the rations issued to our Forces abroad and at home now compare with the rationed foods available to the civilian population in this country.
Mr. Bellenǵer:The present weekly rations of the main items of food for the Services at home and overseas and for the civilian population of this country are as follow:
ozs. ozs. ozs. Meat (Bone-in) 35 42 63 18. 2d.(†) worth Bacon 8 9 16½ 3 ozs. Butter/Margarine and Cooking tats 10½ 17½ 7 ozs. Sugar 13 14 21 8 ozs. Cheese 6 6 7 3 ozs. Jam 7 10½ 4 ozs. Tea 2 3½ 5¼ 2½ (*) The ceiling figures for consumption of rationed foods in His Majesty's ships and Naval establishments approximate generally to these scales except that for sea-going ships the figures for meat are :—Home waters, 42 ozs.; Abroad, 7o ozs.
(†) Includes 2d. worth of canned corned meat.
I should, however, like to emphasise that any comparison of this sort between Service and civilian ration scales is liable to give a misleading impression. For example soldiers have a limited ration of foods such as bread and potatoes which are unrationed for civilians, and many civilians have greater opportunities to supplement their rations by meals in restaurants and canteens. The Home Service ration scales are at present under review.