59. Mr. David Adamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether community restaurants are being established at coalmining centres, and, if so, the number of these; and what steps are being taken to secure the benefits of these for mineworkers of the country where no such facilities exist?
Major Lloyd GeorgePlans for the establishment of British Restaurants at a number of towns in which the mining population predominates have been approved by the Ministry of Food, and I am informed that the question of the provision of British Restaurants in other mining areas is under active consideration. I am obtaining a list of the towns concerned and will send this to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. The responsibility for preparing schemes of British Restaurants has been entrusted to local authorities. The urgent attention of all authorities, including those in mining districts, has been drawn to the desirability of establishing British Restaurants. I am arranging that the matter shall again be specifically brought before local authorities in mining districts. The extension of pit-head canteens where food can be served for consumption either in the canteen or underground is also being pressed forward as a result of conferences between my Noble Friend, my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines and representatives of the Miners' Welfare Commission.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that at the present time there are certain men working at the coal face who have, to take what we call the snack bread, with boiled turnip between the bread for butter, and also bread and only a bit of jam, and that they cannot get coal on that?
Major Lloyd GeorgeFor that very reason they get eight ounces of cheese per week, which is not given to other people, except agricultural labourers.
§ Mr. R. J. TaylorIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in places where there is no provision for canteens, unless the miners get more meat, it will be impossible for them to maintain their vitality in order to work coal?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe hon. Gentleman will appreciate that we are confined in many things by the supply position, and I think he will also appreciate that we have made an effort to meet the very points raised by my hon. Friends. We have done what we can, having regard to the supply situation; I only wish we could do more.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenIs the Minister aware that at certain canteens miners can purchase only cups of tea, chewing-gum and a few biscuits?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAs far as the underground workmen are concerned, we have made this special arrangement with regard to cheese, and, as far as surface workers are concerned, we are trying to devise some method by which we can meet their requirements.
§ Sir A. KnoxWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman note that other people as well as miners require food?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsWhy are not mobile canteens which are not at present in use sent to the pit tops in order to deal with the position?
§ Mr. EdwardsWhy was not this thing considered two months ago?
Major Lloyd GeorgeMobile canteens are very important at the present time when there are likely to be heavy bombardments without warning in various 195 parts of the country, and we cannot disperse our canteens all over the country without very careful consideration.