HC Deb 13 October 1943 vol 392 cc880-1
62. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has satisfied himself that there is a sufficient staff available to meet contingencies for the delivery of milk and bread during this winter?

Mr. Mabane

My Department is in continuous contact with the Ministry of Labour and National Service on this matter, and I am satisfied that if any difficulties arise in the coming winter with regard to the supply of labour for distributing bread and milk, they will be dealt with promptly.

Mr. E. Walkden

Do local food control committees make contact with the local Ministry of Labour offices in regard to the needs of the milk distributors in any given area or within their own particular area?

Mr. Mabane

That is not quite the procedure. The firms themselves get in touch with the Divisional Food Officer, who consults with the Ministry of Labour and arrangements are made to meet the difficulties.

Mr. Walkden

Do they meet the trade unions and discuss the labour problems in a given area?

Mr. Mabane

That is the concern of the Ministry of Labour.

Mr. Davies

When a complaint is received by the Parliamentary Secretary's Department from a food distributor that the Ministry of Labour is denuding a staff, has his Department any influence with the Ministry of Labour in retaining such a staff?

Mr. Mabane

I think so.