The last time derationing was tried was in 1949, but the Government quickly restored controls.
Things such as the slow derationing of food and rehousing in council houses took time.
As food was gradually derationed - it was completely derationed only in about 1956-public health started to improve and, mercifully, life expectancy began increasing.
‘York confectioners report that sales of sweets today - the first day of derationing - have been higher than on a normal Thursday,’ the paper reported.
Battery cages were introduced into Britain on a commercial scale after the derationing of feeding stuffs in 1953.
Tea was derationed in 1952 and the sales management (not unreasonably) thought there was going to be an increase in sales as a result.
In the last month before derationing the ration was increased to 3 ounces a head.
Part of the case for derationing is the failure of the public to take up the present ration of six ounces per week.
The spokeswoman, however, said she wanted to make it clear that they were not advocating derationing in this country until there was adequate food within reach of all at a reasonable price.
Thanks to derationing and the free market the price of tea has now gone down to 85 guineas a quarter.
Agricultural changes since the 1950s included increased mechanisation, increased use of nitrogen and herbicides, derationing of animal feed, continuous cereal production and development of improved varieties.