§ 54. Mr. Loverseedasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is proposed to allow farmers extra rations of cheese and jam for the purpose of providing meals for workers employed overtime during the harvest period?
§ Mr. MabaneThe same allowance of rationed food as was in force last year will be made available to farmers this year for the purpose of providing meals and hot beverages for workers during the harvest period. The foods allowed are tea, sugar, margarine, cheese and preserves.
§ Mr. LoftusDo small farmers and their sons, who work longer hours than agricultural labourers, get the extra rations, as agricultural labourers do?
§ Mr. MabaneI would be glad if my hon. Friend would put that Question down. He knows that it is a somewhat complicated subject.
§ 58. Sir Dymoke Whiteasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that only tea and sugar are being allowed for extra haysel and harvest rations instead of tea, sugar, margarine, jam and cheese by the food officer of the St. Faith's and Aylsham Rural District Council, in Norfolk, on the plea that pies under the pie scheme, operating in many villages only once a week, take the place of margarine, jam and cheese; that this action is causing indignation among farm workers; and will he take steps to see that the extra rations are available for the men and women working often from 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m.?
§ Mr. MabaneThe action to which my hon. Friend refers was due to a misunderstanding. The local food executive officer has been instructed to allow farmers to obtain appropriate allowances of the other rationed foods besides tea and sugar which are available for feeding workers at harvest time.