§ 7. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of small firms do not provide canteen arrangements for their employees; and will he have inquiry made to see if this could be remedied as it would lead to greater satisfaction among the workers?
§ Mr. BevinThe Government policy in this matter is indicated on page 20 of the Twenty-fifth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, to which I would refer my hon. Friend. Canteens might well be provided, and, if necessary, required at some small factories in exceptional circumstances, but to do this on a widespread scale would 1557 involve far more labour, materials and equipment than is available for the purpose, and would be less favourable to other workers in the vicinity than the policy of developing feeding facilities on a locality rather than on a factory basis.
§ Mr. TinkerThe trouble is that in these small places the employees are not getting the same amount of food as in the bigger places. Cannot something be done to bring about an equalisation of rations?
§ Mr. BevinI would prefer that my hon. Friend should give me particulars of any case and I would take it up with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food in order to see whether a British Restaurant in the vicinity could do the catering better.
§ Mr. TinkerI will do that.