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Rationing was introduced temporarily by the British government several times during the 20th century, during and immediately after a war. At the start of the Second World War in 1939, the United Kingdom imported 20 million long tons (20 Mt) of food per year (70%), including more than 50% of its meat, 70% of its cheese and sugar, nearly 80% of fruits and about 70% of cereals and fats. The civilian population was about 50 million. It was one of the principal strategies of the Germans to attack shipping bound for Britain, restricting British industry and potentially starving the nation into submission. To deal with sometimes extreme shortages, the Ministry of Food instituted a system of rationing. To buy most rationed items, each person had to register at chosen shops, and was provided with a ''ration book'' containing coupons. The shopkeeper was provided with enough food for registered customers. Purchasers had to take ration books with them when shopping, so the relevant coupon or coupons could be cancelled. == World War I == (詳細はbusiness as usual” policy, the government was initially reluctant to try to control the food markets. It fought off efforts to try to introduce minimum prices in cereal production, though relenting in the area of controlling of essential imports (sugar, meat and grains). When it did introduce changes, they were only limited in their effect. In 1916, it became illegal to consume more than two courses whilst lunching in a public eating place or more than three for dinner; fines were introduced for members of the public found feeding the pigeons or stray animals.〔 In January 1917, Germany started using U-boats (submarines) in order to sink all ships headed to Britain in an attempt to starve Britain into submission. One response to this threat was to introduce voluntary rationing in .〔 Bread was subsidised from September that year; prompted by local authorities taking matters into their own hands, compulsory rationing was introduced in stages between and ,〔 as Britain’s supply of wheat stores decreased to just six weeks' worth.〔Morrow (2005), p 202〕 It is said to have in the most part benefited the health of the country,〔 through the “levelling of consumption of essential foodstuffs”.〔Beckett attributes this quotation (page 382) to Margaret Barnett, but does not give further details.〕 To assist with rationing, ration books were introduced on 1918 for butter, margarine, lard, meat, and sugar.〔Palmer (1992), pp 355–356〕 During the war, average energy intake decreased only three percent, but protein intake six percent.〔Beckett (2007), pp 380–382〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Rationing in the United Kingdom」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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