7 JUNE 1940, Page 2

A Nutrition Programme

The production of food does not necessarily mean the pro- duction of the right food. In the urgency of the war period it is necesary to concentrate on provision of those foodstuffs which play the most important part in human subsistence and health. But since no effort that can be made now will release us from the necessity of importing food, and some foods can be more easily imported than others under war conditions, home production must be related to our resources in imports. In other words it is essential to find a correct balance between what we can advantageously continue to import and what we can grow at home, so that the two together will maintain the nation. This is a matter of exact knowledge based on exact inquiry. The Government, therefore, have done well to adopt the recommendation in the fourth report of the Select Com- mittee on Expenditure to appoint a body of scientists and practical men to work out a basic plan of war-time food policy. Sir William Bragg is to be Chairman of the Committee. Sir John Orr, the expert on nutrition, is among the many dis- tinguished experts who are to be members. The task of the Committee will be to find out what the nation requires, and what part of that should be produced at home, and what imported.