HC Deb 24 October 1945 vol 414 cc2013-5
57. Squadron-Leader Emrys Roberts

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that men engaged in the slate-mining industry have to carry to work their mid-day meal; that the conditions in which they work make it necessary for them to have a larger amount of cheese, butter and fats, than the present ration permits; that they have to eat dry bread for their mid-day meal at work because the butter ration is not sufficient; and whether he will consider making a supplementary issue to these workers.

Sir B. Smith

A special ration of 12 oz. of cheese per week in place of the ordinary ration is available for certain categories of workers, including slate quarrymen, who have to take a packed meal with them to their work each day and for whom the provision of canteen or other catering facilities is impracticable. I regret that I cannot see my way to grant supplementary rations of fats to the workers concerned.

Squadron-Leader Roberts

Is the Minister aware that these men are doing very heavy work entirely underground, producing an article which is essential to the housing programme, and that a supplementary supply of butter for their midday meal is necessary?

Sir B. Smith

I am aware that these men, together with many hundreds of thousands of other people, work underground. All I can say is that I am arranging for an additional one ounce ration of butter to be available from 11th November this year, which will somewhat augment the butter supply.

Mr. Maxton

Is not this an industry in which canteens could and should be provided?

Sir B. Smith

I would welcome the idea of canteens for this industry if it was possible. It is not my duty to set up canteens but only to serve them.

BANK OF ENGLAND BILL (SPECIAL REPORT)

Mr. SPEAKER laid on the Table,—Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the Bank of England Bill he had made a Special Report, namely:

That in examining the Bank of England Bill pursuant to the Order of the House of 11th October with respect to the applicability thereto of the Standing Orders relative to Private Business, he had taken into consideration certain Standing Orders in respect of compliance with which a Private Bill would not have been referred to the Examiners until after the Second Reading of the Bill, and had found such Orders not to be applicable.

BILL PRESENTED

EXPIRING LAWS CONTINUANCE BILL,

"to continue certain expiring laws," presented by Mr. Glenvil Hall; to be read a Second time To-morrow, and to be printed. [Bill 18.]

FINANCE BILL (PROCEDURE)

Resolved:

"That, notwithstanding anything in the practice of the House to the contrary, proposals may be laid before the Committee of Ways and Means in the current financial year for charging income tax for the year 1946–47 and provision may be made in any Finance Bill introduced in the current year for giving effect to any Resolution passed for that purpose in Committee of Ways and Means and agreed to by this House."—[Mr, Glenvil Hall]