HC Deb 29 July 1942 vol 382 c512
61. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether there is a liaison between his Department and the Ministry of Labour and National Service to make certain that shops and warehouses are not denuded of man-and woman-power to such an extent as to make it difficult to distribute food stuffs?

Mr. Mabane

Yes, Sir. There is close liaison between the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Labour and National Service, both at headquarters and locally, on all questions affecting the withdrawal of men and women from the food trades.

Mr. Davies

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is already a real difficulty in staffing some shops, and will the Ministry take note of the fact that queues in shops are very often caused, not by a shortage of supply, but because the shops are denuded of skilled staff?

Mr. Mabane

I made that point myself yesterday, and it is true. There is great difficulty in staffing shops, but there is the closest liaison between the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Labour and National Service on this very important matter.