§ 65. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Food if, for the purposes of bread rationing, he will regard housewives, with children under 16 years of age, as manual workers.
§ Mr. StracheyI should very much like to be able to make a concession of this kind. I will most carefully consider this and all the other suggestions which have been made in the course of the public discussions of the bread rationing scheme. But of course one claim must be weighed against another and against the supply position.
§ Mr. CollinsIs my right hon. Friend aware that housewives with children are in a position equal to that of female manual workers with regard to effort and the need for sustenance, and will he make this allowance, even if it means adjustments in other directions?
§ Mr. StracheyI cannot give a pledge here today. I cannot go further than what I have said, that I will weigh this claim against other claims and against the supply position.
§ Mr. Martin LindsayIs the Minister aware that this aspect of bread rationing is causing more dissatisfaction than any other?
§ Mr. WarbeyWhen my right hon. Friend is considering this question, will he bear in mind that a housewife with several hefty adults for whom she has to cook, wash, clean and generally cleanup, is also worthy of consideration?