§ 21. Mr. STANTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware of the food famine in the South Wales mining centres, and of the fact that the miners and other workers cannot get food to take during their working hours; and will he see that some better system of rationing is at once put in force?
Mr. PARKERThe Food Controller is aware that there have lately been serious shortages of certain foods in the South Wales mining centres. Full details of these were laid before him last week by a deputation from the South Wales Miners' Federation. He is taking measures to accelerate the introduction of a local rationing scheme under his Order of 22nd December, which will, it is hoped, go far to remove the difficulties in question.
Mr. EDWARDSIn view of the fact that the South Wales miners are fulfilling so important a part in this War by supplying the Navy with coal, will the right hon. Gentleman not make some exceptional arrangement for their benefit?
Mr. PARKERI do not know what the hon. Member means by "exceptional arrangement." I can only give him the answer I have given. I presume he does not desire that this part of the country should have a larger share than any other part of the country.