HC Deb 14 July 1943 vol 391 c198
59. Mr. Higgs

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the i,000 volunteers taking part in the parade on Farm Sunday, in Birmingham, were prevented from having a drink because the application for 5 lbs. of tea and 9 lbs. of sugar made by the Warwickshire War Agricultural Executive Committee was refused; and why did he not make arrangements for a supply of the above?

Mr. Mabane

It is the policy of my Noble Friend not to make additional supplies available for special functions, and he has not been able to depart from this policy in order to enable refreshments to be provided for those taking part in parades such as that mentioned by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Higgs

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that two days before Farm Sunday a mobile canteen was in the centre of Birmingham supplying hot drinks to a queue waiting for ration cards? Is he not able to supply drinks when he is intimately concerned with any particular problem?

Mr. Mabane

Certainly, the arrangement should be that canteens provide drinks on these occasions, and usually arrangements are made to secure that mobile canteens provide what is necessary on occasions of this kind.

Mr. Holdsworth

Seeing that there is always a plentiful supply of beer available, cannot the Department make tea available for those wanting it?

Mr. Mabane

Tea can be supplied by catering establishments and canteens and arrangements are usually made for this to be done on such occasions.