§ 62. Mr. Attewellasked the Minister of Food whether he will consider the granting of the special cheese ration to stokers in the gas industry where the number of such workers is small and the employer makes no provision for canteen facilities, as in the case of the gas company at Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
§ Sir B. SmithNo, Sir. I am advised that in general it should be possible for the gas industry to provide canteens or packed meals for its employees. I regret that I cannot see my way to make special arrangements for workers at individual plants where the employer does not make such provision.
§ Mr. AttewellDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that many of these men 422 live in the surrounding villages and that their shifts extend over a seven-day week, so that when the employer does not provide a canteen great hardship is inflicted upon a very fine body of men?
§ Sir B. SmithThe obvious reply to that is that they can get packed meals whatever their working days are. It is quite impossible for me to put in an organisation to meet every request from every quarter.