FOOD SITUATION IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 24006, 3 October 1941, Page 6

FOOD SITUATION IN BRITAIN

REASSURING ANNOUNCEMENT INCREASED RATIONS NEXT MONTH SHARP CONTRAST WITH GERMANY (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 1 p.m.) RUGBY, October 2. In a statement in the House of Commons oil the food situation the Parhamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food said that at one time our shipping losses had become so serious that real anxiety had been caused as to the supply of staple commodities. “ I am glad to be able to reassure the House regarding the position of these commodities now. We are practically in every instance better off that not only last year and the year before, but in some cases before the war. No one can possibly foretell what the future has in store for us, but whatever the trials may be we can at least say this —we are at this moment in a better position to withstand those perils than we thought possible a few months ago.”

The improved position in the Atlantic made it possible to concentrate on supplying the things which had been absent for so long, and this, coupled wih generous assistance from the United States, enabled the difficult question of unrationed foodstuffs to be dealt with.

Major Gwilym Lloyd George went on to say that an important extension would be introduced in the middle of November which would reduce the difficulties, not only of housewives, but also of canteens. The proportion of reserve essentials was highly satisfactory considering Britain was in the third year of war and the 1 ’ intensity of the attack which had been made. Although it was inevitable that the population must go without many things they were accustomed to before the war, Britain was the only belligerent country that at the beginning of the third year had increased its rations. The British meat ration was increased about the same time the German was decreased, and the cheese ration was also increased. From the middle of November the weekly fat ration would be increased from ’Boz to lOoz, and sugar from Bo z to 1207,. Although the Government intended to continue the policy of distributing domestic rations equally throughout the country, the policy of providing extra for special classes of workers would be carried out by increasing the number of works canteens and British restaurants through which extras would be distributed. About 12,000.000 meals were already being served outside of the homes every day, and the canteens were serving a most important purpose in the national life.