§ 51. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Food whether he will re-assess the value of the L, M, and G coupons in order to permit single persons living alone to obtain fresh bread without depositing their coupons with a baker.
§ Dr. SummerskillMy right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot adopt this suggestion, but he is making it possible for persons living alone, who find the G coupons awkward, to exchange them for the appropriate number of L coupons, worth one B.U. each, at any food office for periods up to 16 weeks at a time.
§ 59. Sir Stanley Reedasked the Minister of Food whether machinists engaged in making blouses and dresses in light materials with electrically-driven machines are classed, under his regulations, as manual workers for the purpose of the rationing of bread.
§ Dr. SummerskillYes, Sir, if employed in factories exclusively devoted to the making up of textile materials, and engaged for an average of not less than 22 hours a week on work which is not of a light or sedentary character.
§ Sir S. ReedIs the hon. Lady aware that this work is of the lightest possible character; that no garment weighs more than 2¼ lbs., and is it not really grotesque to treat those engaged in these operations as manual workers?
§ Dr. SummerskillIf the hon. Gentleman will examine the schedule he will find that all these workers are not classed as manual workers.
§ 62. Sir Jocelyn Lucasasked the Minister of Food the number of calories provided by the proposed 9-ounce bread ration; and whether the bread and grain ration will still supply 45 per cent. of the total calories, as stated in Command Paper 6785, of April, 1946.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe bread ration of 9 ounces will provide about 640 calories per day. The figure of 45 per cent. to which the hon. Member refers, was related to grain foods and potatoes; the percentage may be slightly less as a result of the reduced consumption of bread and flour, which is anticipated under the bread rationing scheme.
§ Sir J. LucasIs not the hon. Lady aware that growers of potatoes will tend to withhold their stocks to try to keep their cattle alive? Has that been taken into account?
§ Dr. SummerskillWe shall certainly keep an eye on the growers, but I do not believe that they are so anti-social.
§ 65. Mr. John Lewisasked the Minister of Food if he will make provision in the bread-rationing scheme to ensure that sufferers from any complaint such as diabetes, which makes it necessary for them to have a specific quantity each day, will have special consideration, irrespective of the category in which they would normally fall under the scheme.
§ Dr. SummerskillMy right hon. Friend will consult his medical and scientific advisers to ensure that people who suffer from any complaints are not handicapped by the bread-rationing scheme. He has been advised sufferers from diabetes will find the normal arrangements adequate.
§ 68. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Food whether persons employed in the distributive trades performing manual work, such as warehousemen and butchers, are entitled to the extra bread ration applicable to other manual workers.
§ Dr. SummerskillSuch persons will be entitled to the manual workers' ration if they are engaged in work involving shifting, loading and unloading heavy goods for an average of not less than 22 hours a week.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in butchers' shops 31 in London and in many parts of the country, three butchers out of eight are entitled to be regarded as doing manual labour, although they are doing precisely the same work as the other five, who cannot claim that, or whose claims are turned down? Will she re-examine the whole question?
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIs the hon. Lady aware that some of the people employed in warehouses do far more manual labour than other people who are classed as manual labourers?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe answer to my hon. Friend is that these workers must apply to the trade union, and their case will be examined.
§ 70. Major Wyattasked the Minister of Food whether he will prevent the sale of articles made with pastry in restaurants for so long as bread rationing continues.
§ Dr. SummerskillCatering establishments will be rationed as regards bread and flour and I see no reason to prevent them from using their flour to make pastry if they wish.
§ Major WyattIs the hon Lady aware that, although this might only be a symbolical matter, it will give expression to a very strong feeling in many parts of the country against people who are able to eat unnecessary luxury food in restaurants?
§ Dr. SummerskillMy hon. and gallant Friend must realise that pastry is not only used for jam tarts; it is used to make pies for workers.
§ 79. Mr. Perrinsasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the open-air nature of their employment, he will increase the ration of nine ounces of bread per day for insurance agents.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir, my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot do this.
§ Mr. PerrinsWill the hon. Lady say whether the Minister is prepared to accept representations from the trade union organisations?
§ Dr. SummerskillIf the trade unions concerned care to make representations to 32 us we shall certainly consider them, but I must remind the hon. Gentleman that if we open the door to insurance agents we must also allow in the rent collector, the meter reader and the commercial traveller.
§ Mr. MackWhile thanking the questioner for the consideration shown for members of my organisation, may I ask the hon. Lady if she is not aware that I have already communicated with her on the subject and that the answer has been delayed?
§ Dr. SummerskillI must remind the hon. Gentleman, who has a great deal of knowledge of trade union matters, that we are advised on this question by the Food Advisory Committee of the T.U.C. If he likes to make further representations, his comrades will certainly consider the matter.