BUTTER ADVOCATE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 7

BUTTER ADVOCATE

THE FIGHTING FORCES

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, April 8.

Mr. William Leach, Labour M.P. for Bradford Central, who has been tackling the Air Ministry about the continued use ~of margarine in the daily diet of the Air Force, has asked two further pungent questions in the House of Commons.

He inquired of the chairman of the Kitchen Committee (Sir John Ganzoni, M.P.) whether he would place upon the dining and tea tables of the House supplies of the same margarine as is Used- by the defence forces, so that members might judge its. quality.

, Mr. Leach also asked the Undersecretary for Air (Sir Philip Sassoori) Si he is aware that at least fourteen County councils and twenty-four large municipalities have lately abandoned margarine for butter in their homes, hospitals, and public assistance institutions; that many of them already note an improvement in the health and happiness of the inmates since tinned milk and margarine were given up; that the dietary practices of the defence forces' authorities are now falUag seriously behind those of the local authorities; and will he, in the Interests of the Air Force, make this reform in diet.

In an inverview, Mr. Leach said:—

"Consultations are now going on bethe chiefs of the three fighting, ifcrces which will, I hope, shortly rejiilt in butter replacing margarine once 2r.d for all in the diqtary. of the troops, airmen, and sailors. The Cabinet is, X understand, discussing the subject, particularly in relation to recruiting, and as the fighting forces of the United States, Soviet Eussia, Norway. Sweden, and our own Dominions have long since Included butter in their daily rations thp British Government will not be ■Witnout good example to guide it. "Butter is now taking the place of margarine in the great majority of working-class homes in Britain, but it should be remembered that eminent dletists like Sir John On- urge that consumption must be still further substantially increased before an adequate health standard is reached. It is astonishing that the Army, Navy, and I^Llr Force should use a substitute jood."