asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department will now reconsider the whole scheme of the rationing of eggs?

Major Lloyd George:

Improvements have been made and will continue to be made in the working of the scheme, but my Noble Friend sees no occasion to reconsider the general principles of the scheme, which has been successful in providing eggs for consumers in large centres of population who previous to its inauguration had been unable to purchase an egg for many weeks.

Is it not a fact that for the average individual in all walks of life eggs are now a rarity, whereas before rationing they were a valuable and common article of food, and will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not admit that the whole scheme is a mistake?

Major Lloyd George:

The egg may be a rarity, but it was more of a rarity to far more people before the scheme was introduced than it is now. A certain proportion of people, of course, are suffering, because distribution has been more equal and because we can only distribute what the hens produce.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider, as a suggestion for saving labour and breakages, the abolition of the stamping of each egg and the institution of the new method of stamping the outside of the box?

Major Lloyd George:

I have no information which indicates that breakages of eggs are serious.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether more eggs are now available?