§ 55. Mr. Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether women in the Services who are messed are still receiving more meat, bacon, butter, margarine, sugar and jam than miners who eat at home; and whether, in the interests of coal production, he will reconsider the disparity?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, maximum messing allowances for Service personnel cannot properly be compared with civilian household rations. As regards the second part of the Question, my hon. Friend is no doubt aware that my Department is prepared to arrange for the supply of food on category 1143 A scale for all pits at which canteen facilities are provided, and that it has been the policy of the Departments concerned to encourage and assist the provision of good meals for workers "on the job." Such provision has been greatly extended in mines and factories during the war period, in order that full nutritional needs may be met.
§ Mr. KeelingWill the hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the Question, or explain why he cannot answer it?
§ Mr. MabaneIt would not be proper or reasonable or fair to make comparisons which would not indicate the way in which the nutritional requirements of both categories are being met. While the answer to the first part of the Question is that the women in the Services do receive more of these particular foods than miners, that does not give the whole picture.