HC Deb 05 September 1940 vol 365 cc17-8
23. Mr. Watkins (for Mr. J. Henderson)

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the special hardship imposed upon those railway employés who are compelled to lodge away from home by the small rations of tea and sugar allowed; and if he will, in view of the special circumstances, consider the advisability of increasing the rations of these commodities?

Mr. Boothby

Railway employés receive the same rations of tea and sugar as any other classes of the community, and my Noble Friend is unable in present circumstances to sanction an increase. The Food Control Committees are, however, authorised to issue special permits for the purchase of tea for industrial, business and clerical workers, for consumption during their working hours, in cases where they cannot obtain tea from a registered canteen. I realise that special problems arise in regard to the provision of rationed commodities to certain classes of railway employés, and I am in consultation with the Minister of Transport in an endeavour to find a solution of those problems.

Mr. George Griffiths

Is the Minister aware of the fact that there is no canteen in a coal-mine and that the collier who takes down one bottle with him cannot get any more; and will he not arrange for those men to get more tea?

Mr. Speaker

The Question refers to railway workers and not to coal miners.

Mr. John Morgan

Will these special facilities for tea apply also to mobile units of men working at the ploughing-up campaign a long distance from their homes?