FOOD CUTS IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25276, 30 August 1947, Page 9

FOOD CUTS IN BRITAIN

ITEMS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED LONDON, August 28. Government spokesmen to-day clarified the announcement* on austerity cuts which embody a return to the mid-war conditions of food and travel. A Ministry of Food spokesman said that the list of luxury food imports which had been banned from hard currency areas would probably include sardines, canned fish and meat, dried some fresh and dried fruit and fruit juices, also port wine. He added that some of these might come from soft currency areas. He instanced salmon from Russia, which is already arriving. The Minister of Supply (Mr John Wilmot) told representatives of the motor trade that to achieve the maximum economy tliere must be greater standardisation than at present. Reuters adds that the total ban on travel outside the sterling area after October 1 will be a windfall for Eire, but Eire officials are worried whether there is enough food for tourists, especially as Eire has promised. to boost cattle exports to Britain. Because of the ban on petrol for private motoring traffic on the underground and bus systems is expected to rise sharply. The London Transport Board is already pressing for the prompt delivery of 2500 buses which are on order. Prices offered for second-hand 1946 and 1947 motor-cars fell by 40 per cent, because of the ban on petrol for private motoring, says the “Evening Standard.” Used cars may return to pre-war values in the next few days. There have been few cancellations, however, of orders for new cars. It Is estimated that of the 1,800,000 cars in use probably 800,000 will be laid up by October 1.