BRITISH BREAD RATION

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25084, 16 January 1947, Page 6

BRITISH BREAD RATION

DANGER DENIED BY MINISTER FEBRUARY ALLOCATION FROM U.S. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 14. The Minister of Food (Mr John Strachey) denied “exaggeratedly pessimistic” press reports that bread rationing was endangered. He said that January and February would be tight months, but provided there were no great strikes in the United States or Canada, the ration would be safe. Although 4t is confirmed in London that Britain’s request for 150,000 tons of wheat and flour from America during February has been reduced by the United States Department of Agriculture to 74,000 tons of wheat and flour plus 17,000 tons of cprn, it is not expected that this will mean any reduction in the present British bread ration, reports the special correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association. It is admitted, however, that the cut will prevent any efforts to replenish British reserve stocks. The biggest American flour and grain shipment during February will go to the British-American zone of Germany, which will receive 119,000 tons of wheat, 80,000 tons of flour, and 102,000 tons of com. The British allocation is even lower than that for January, which was 104,000 tons of wheat and flour and 10,000 tons of coarse grains. . British food mission officials in the United States are making vigorous representations to the American Government. It is admitted, however, that the increased allocation to Germany relieves Britain of a potential burden.