§ 79. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will explain the likely effect of bread rationing upon farm workers' diet in Scotland; and if he will give an assurance that this new rationing scheme will not interfere with the scale of perquisites which farm workers now enjoy.
§ Mr. WestwoodI have been in consultation in this matter with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food, who is fully aware of the importance of bread in farm workers' diet. He informs me that the special provision made in the proposed bread rationing scheme for manual workers should enable farm workers to obtain sufficient supplies of bread to meet the requirements of their diet. So far as the second part of the Question is concerned, ways of maintaining the system and scale of perquisites are being worked out.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that such perquisites as oatmeal will he preserved for farm workers?
§ Mr. WestwoodI can only state, as I have already pointed out, that ways of maintaining the system to which the hon. Member has just referred are being worked out. A meeting is likely to he held not later than today for the purpose of discussing the matter.
§ Mr. SnaddenWill the Secretary of State impress upon the Minister of Food the very great importance both of bread rationing and of the perquisites to farm workers in Scotland?
§ Mr. WestwoodI can certainly assure the hon. Member that all these questions are being kept in mind in dealing with this difficult problem.