asked the Minister of Food whether the intake of rationed food of the average British rationed person is at present of the order of 1,400 calories per day; and what respective supplement in calories the average person in a household and the single person living alone is reckoned by him to obtain from a normal expenditure of points.

The calorie value of the domestic rations, including liquid milk and shell eggs, for the non-priority consumer is at the present time just under 1,400 calories per day. The average calorie equivalent of the domestic entitlement of 8 points per week is estimated to be just over 200 calories per day. It would not be possible to say, without much research, how the single person spends his points, as compared with a family.

Does the hon. Lady think, then, that, in any calculation of calories, the unrationed goods are sufficient to make up a total calorie intake of 2,800, which I think is the calorie figure which has been so recently quoted?

Certainly, Sir. The calorie intake has been as high as 2,900. The right hon. and gallant Gentleman must remember that the figures I have given cover only rationed and pointed goods. There is a wide field of non-rationed goods, such as fish, potatoes, vegetables manufactured meat and restaurant meals.

The hon. Lady has no need to lecture me or any other hon. Member on this point. I asked her whether she realised that that figure of the calorie intake is double that of the normal ration?

I had no intention of lecturing my right hon. and gallant colleague, but I can assure him that I have given my personal attention to this matter and that I am perfectly satisfied that, with unrationed food, it is quite possible for everybody to enjoy a calorie intake of 2,900.

Can the hon. Lady give some figures bringing out that calculation? Is she aware that I have been unable to work it out?

I think this is important, and so I hope, Mr. Speaker, that the House will forgive me if I answer the right hon. and gallant Gentleman again. We have, every month or so, a food survey, because we are anxious to discover how each social unit, let us say, of the community is faring—[Laughter.] Well, hon. Members often object when we talk about the working class and the upper class, and I therefore use that euphemism. We take this picture of a cross-section of the people of the country, and, as a result, we have been satisfied that the calorie intake can reach that level.

Will the hon. Lady let me have the figures?

Yes, Sir.

Will the figures be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

I will consider that.

Can the hon. Lady say whether the calorific value of fish, which is available on most days of the week and is not on the ration, or green vegetables and a tremendous variety of fruit, are not equivalent, at least, to the calorie figure referred to?

That is the argument I have advanced.

Will the hon. Lady see that, when she communicates these figures to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, they shall be made available to the rest of the House?

Yes, if the hon. Gentleman insists.

Mr. De la Bère:

On a point of Order. May we stop this practice of these billets-doux and have these figures properly circulated?