It will be within the recollection of the House that at the request of my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and of myself, the Medical Research Council have appointed an expert committee to advise from time to time whether it is necessary on medical grounds to modify or supplement rations in the case of invalids and other persons on special diets. I understand that the committee have now concluded the first phase of their inquiry. Their report is not yet available. I am, however, already aware of the decision which the committee have reached on the question of supplementary allowances of butter for invalids, and in view of the widespread interest which is felt on this subject, I should communicate to the House the information which has been placed at my disposal. It is to the effect that provided adequate supplies of vitaminised margarine are available, the committee do not consider that the present rationing regulations necessitate provision of extra rations of any food for cases of diabetes mellitus or of any other diseases. In view of this authoritative pronouncement, there are no grounds for the issue of such supplementary allowances at the present time.