asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the demand from all parts of the country for the granting of a small increase in the ration allowances of tea and sugar to people of 70 years of age and over who are living alone, who ask for little other foods, many having neither the health nor strength to go to British Restaurants and could not in any event afford it; and will he reconsider the decision and grant an extra ration in these special cases?

I regret I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 14th April.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these old folk, after they have made their tea, stew it and boil it, and carry out the process over and over again so long as they can at least have the colour and flavour of tea; and in view of the fact that that is bad for them will he reconsider the question?

Should not people living under these conditions be considered rather separately?

As I said last week, this matter has been given careful consideration, and since last week it has been considered again by my Noble Friend. There are, as hon. Members will appreciate, many difficulties in the way. It is, for example, difficult to see why the claim should be limited to people over 70 who live alone.