asked the Minister of Food what proportions of the various kinds of food he proposes to allot free of coupons or points to hotels, restaurants and clubs.
The proportion of rationed foods consumed in hotels, restaurants and clubs is approximately 4 per cent. of the total amount consumed in the country. All supplies to these and other catering establishments, except schools, have recently been reduced in the same proportion as rations to domestic consumers. In the case of residents in hotels, the coupons are cancelled.
asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many private clubs have full caterers' licences and serve meals all day; and whether he will consider replacing these by limited licences in view of the worsening of the food situation.
The only private clubs which have full caterers' licences are those which served a full range of meals before rationing commenced or those which, established subsequently, have satisfied the local Food Control Committee concerned that special circumstances justify the grant of a full licence. All such clubs are subject to the general reductions which have, recently been made in the allowances of rationed foods to all catering establishments, and I do not consider that I should be justified in singling out these establishments for further special restrictions such as the hon. Member suggests.