56 and 57. Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Minister of Food (1) to what authority a right of appeal lies in the case of a retail butcher who challenges the accuracy of the number of rations which a given portion of meat is officially scheduled to produce;
(2) whether he is aware that, at a practical demonstration held under the auspices of the Edinburgh Master Butchers' Association on 21st April, it was shown that a 202 lb. hind leg of beef officially classed as 226 is. rations would, in fact, only yield 181½ such rations, whilst a 167 lb. fore quarter classed as 146 is. rations would only yield 116 rations; and what steps he intends to take to see that Edinburgh butchers are supplied with sufficient meat to enable them to honour the ration books held by their registered customers.
§ Mr. StracheyI am satisfied that the total quantities of meat issued to butchers are sufficient to cover the ration, even if individual cuts vary one way or the other. If a butcher finds that he cannot meet his customers' legitimate needs he should get into touch with his deputy meat agent, who is a practical butcher acting as a Ministry adviser on matters of this nature.