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Rations (Calorie Value)

Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1947.

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Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely 12:00, 10 November 1947

asked the Minister of Food how the daily calorie content of the weekly minimum amount of food regarded as necessary for an unemployed man, as decided by the Ministry of Health in co-operation with the British Medical Association in 1933, compares with that of the present ration after the reductions recently announced by the Government.

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

The calorie value of the No. 2 diet suggested for an adult man by the British Medical Association in 1933 was 3,386 calories daily. As announced by the Minister of Economic Affairs, the recent reduction in distribution will result in an estimated average daily calorie intake of just below 2,700 per head for the whole population.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply will cause considerable concern in the country; does he realise that in many places the ration of the unemployed in 1933 was at least 200 calories more than the daily ration now visualised; and can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the figure of 2,700 calories quoted by the Minister for Economic Affairs took into consideration the recent cut in potatoes?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

Yes, Sir; it did take into consideration the rationing of potatoes. I cannot agree that there was a ration figure for the unemployed before the war. There was no such rationing system, of course. I would entirely agree that the level of calories which I have just quoted is a matter of grave concern.

Photo of Mr Somerville Hastings Mr Somerville Hastings , Barking

Is it not a fact that many people engaged in sedentary work are not now taking in 2,700 calories a day?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

Yes, Sir. The figure of 2,700 is the average figure. There are many sections of the population getting very much more, therefore, there are many who are getting much less.

Photo of Mr James Reid Mr James Reid , Glasgow Hillhead

The right hon. Gentleman has said that the Minister for Economic Affairs took into account the reduction in calories due to potato rationing. How many calories are represented by the cut caused by potato rationing?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

Seventy.

Photo of Mr George Chetwynd Mr George Chetwynd , Stockton-on-Tees

Could my right hon. Friend give the House the proportion of carbohydrates in each of the two figures?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

Not without notice.

Photo of Lieut-Commander Joseph Braithwaite Lieut-Commander Joseph Braithwaite , Holderness

In the meantime, is not the rate in the Borstal Institutions still 3,200? The Home Secretary said so.

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