HC Deb 15 November 1944 vol 404 cc1963-4
54. Colonel Viscount Suirdale

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the extra cheese ration available to agricultural workers is not made available to ironstone quarrymen, arrangements have now been made for a packed meal service to be provided for all ironstone quarrymen in the Peterborough and Kettering divisions of Northamptonshire, or whether he will arrange for the extra cheese ration to be made available to such workers in cases where the provision of such a packed meal service has not proved to be practicable.

Colonel Llewellin

No, Sir. I am aware of only one company in the divisions referred to which is not providing packed meals for its workers. There is no insuperable difficulty in its doing so. My Department will authorise supplies of food for the purpose.

Mr. Thorne

Is not the Minister aware that if these men get a little more cheese, a Spanish onion and a pint of beer, they can, make a good meal?

Viscountess Astor

Not beer.

Colonel Llewellin

I think the right provision is to have these packed meals. This has the assent of the Trade Union Advisory Committee which advises me on these matters.