BRITAIN’S FOOD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 March 1942, Page 3

BRITAIN’S FOOD

RATIONS MAY BE REDUCED BUT NATION WILL BE FED ADEQUATELY. SURVEY BY MAJOR LLOYD GEORGE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.28 a.m.) RUGBY, March 3. Introducing in the House of Commons, a debate on the food situation, Major Lloyd George (Parliamental y Secretary to the Food Ministry) warned that food imports would be reduced in the coming year. The country would have to go without some things it is getting today and it might be necessary to reduce the existing rations, but he assured the House that the nation would be adequately fed and that neither national health nor morale would suffer. The war, he said, was one of shipping and a choice had to be made whether any particular ships would best contribute to victory by bringing in food supplies or supporting armies in other parts of the world. He revealed that out of every ten shillings spent by the average family on food, 7s 6d went on price-controlled food, and 'about a third on Government subsidised food, with the result that the food index figure was only 25 per cent above that at the beginning of the war. About 650.000 children were obtaining meals and about 3,500,000 were receiving milk in schools in Britain. The total number of eggs distributed in the second half of last year was 1.065,000,000. Finally, saying that the Ministry of Food employed over 800 inspectors who dealt with black markets, he explained that one of the main difficulties was the lenient view which many Law Courts appeared to take regarding offenders. “They are a danger to our cause and we are determined that they shall be stamped out,” added the Minister. As soon as was practicable he said he would announce the new regulations.