BRITISH FOOD STORES

Southland Times, Issue 24158, 21 June 1940, Page 7

BRITISH FOOD STORES

Sufficient Stocks For Weeks SUPPLIES FOR EMERGENCIES (Received June 20, 6.30 p.m.) (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 19. Replying to a debate in the House of Lords, the Minister of Food, Lord Woolton, said that even if nothing more came into Britain there were sufficient food supplies for weeks and weeks. “All essential things are there and is is my constant care that these stocks should be kept as high as possible,” he said. “We have put up and down the country iron rations of food to be used only in a great emergency. In addition, we have prepared in all areas round about vulnerable centres of population other rations which will be used in the event of mass evacuation.'' Because of Government subsidies the price of milk, bread and bacon had only risen 8 per cent. Without subsidy it would have been 30 per cent. Uncontrolled foods had risen by 40 per cent. , , . , , Lord Woolton said that he had been trying to use the £60,000,000 which the Treasury had been spending in subsidizing foods so that it should go. to the people who most needed it. Food manufacturers had decided in large numbers that they would be prepared to produce goods without profit for some portion of their productions if these could be distributed to poorer sections of the population without undue extra charges. “I am trying to secure that without any charge to the Exchequer,” said Lord Woolton. “These people of the poorest classes shall be cared for during war time.” The Ministry of Food had announced that as from July 1 or as soon as possible afterwards milk will be provided free or at reduced prices to those who need it most Under the scheme for the distribution of free milk a pint will be supplied free daily to families if the joint weekly income of the

parents is below £2 or the income of a single person is below 27/6. Twopence a pint will be charged for expectant mothers and children under five who are not attending school