CAB129-33 — Page 65

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I propose to circulate a further paper on the 1949 prospPage 660f4aster. For instance, if Page 66f488inue to issue 20. worth of corned meat until the middle of May, by then supplies from the Argentine might enable us to increase the carcase meat ration to 10d. and discontinue the issue of canned meat in order to build up reserves. The ration would then remain at 10d. carcase meat until the home killed supplies in August made it possible to increase the ration to `1/-.

10.

Nutritional implications of the reduction in the meat ration. A cut in the meat ration now of 2d. will reduce the animal protein intake, but this will be offset at first by the increased supply of eggs and milk which we can expect this year in March, April, May, and most of June. In June the seasonal decline in supplies of milk and eggs will begin and there will be a sharp drop by July. Thus, until June the nutritional implications of a cut in the meat ration will be negligible, but in July -the last month before the home killed supplies commence on a serious scale - there will be no compensatory increase to offset the loss of meat, and the effect on the diet will be significant. We ought therefore to consider whether at least for this month we could find alternative supplies of some other rationed foodstuffs.

11.

The

Alternative protein foods. Apart from milk and eggs, fish and cheese provide possible alternative supplies of protein. I propose to do all that I can to increase supplies of fresh fish. But the only real offset to the terribly low meat ration - which may even have to fall to 8d. - would be to provide an additional 1 oz. of cheese per week for the four weeks of July. 1 oz. of cheese would provide 120 calories and 7.0 gms. of protein per week while even the 2d. cut in the meat ration will cause a loss of 154 calories and 7.6 gms. of protein. extra ounce for four weeks would require 6,000 tons of cheese, which could be purchased in the United States at a cost of 4.8 million dollars. After all the difficulties which were experienced in providing suitable foods for harvest workers last summer the cut in the meat ration this year would be particularly serious if we could not provide some suitable alternative. I therefore hope my colleagues will agree to this provision of cheese.

12.

Special rations. At the moment all underground coal miners receive a special additional meat ration of 1/- each week. I do not propose that this should be cut. It has remained unchanged when we have raised the ordinary ration in the past. Vegetarians receive a ration of 12 oz. of cheese and 2 oz. of vegetarian fat per week in lieu of the normal meat, bacon and cheese rations. I do not propose that this should be cut.

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Announcement.

In order to safeguard stocks the total meat ration must be reduced on 20th March. I would therefore propose to announce the reduction in the House of Commons on Monday, 14th March. I would stress the fact that alternative supplies of protein are available at present.

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Recommendations

I accordingly recommend that:

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(i) the total meat ration should be reduced to 10d.

i.e. 8d. carcase meat and 2d. canned meat Sunday 20th March.