§ 53. Brigadier Lowasked the Minister of Food whether he will reconsider the application of N.A.L.G.O. for the inclusion of coin meter collectors as manual workers in the bread-rationing scheme; and if he will now change his policy of considering such applications only if they submitted through the T.U.C.
§ Mr. StracheyI have considered the representations which have been made on behalf of coin meter collectors in consultation with the Trades Union Congress Advisory Committee and decided not to extend the schedule B.M.W.1 to include this type of worker. It is not and has never been the policy of my Ministry to refuse consideration to applications submitted by bodies unconnected with the Trades Union Congress. But whenever any issues are raised affecting the food supplies of workers, I shall continue the practice initiated by my predecessors of referring such matters to the Trades Union Congress for their advice.
§ Brigadier LowIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food wrote to me on 5th November and said that this matter was not being considered because an application had not been made through the T.U.C? Does not that rather conflict with the Minister's statement?
§ Mr. StracheyThe application comes to us, not through the Trades Union Congress. We consult the Trades Union Congress and get their advice on it.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonCan the Minister state whether he carried out that process on the occasion of the increased meat ration for mine workers?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir