HC Deb 16 April 1947 vol 436 cc185-6
52. Mr. David Thomas

asked the Minister of Food (r) what steps he has taken since 27th February to give extra non-rationed food to mining communities; and if there has been any increase allocated to South Wales;

(2) on what basis were allocations of non-rationed foods made to the South Wales development area in 1946; and what change has been made since then.

Mr. Strachey

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Members for Neath (Mr. D. J. Williams), North-East Leeds (Miss Bacon) and Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 10th March. With permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the areas in South Wales which, on 31st March, received increased allocations of rationed ingredients for meat products, cakes and fish frying, and the list is rather too long to read aloud, and the Welsh names are too difficult. He will see that these areas cover the whole of the South Wales coal fields.

I take this opportunity of informing the House that we have just been able to arrange for some three quarters of a mil-lion surplus army ration packs each con- taining foodstuffs sufficient for one man for six days to be made available for purchase by coal miners all over the country through the colliery managements and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Mr. D. J. Williams

Can the Minister say if the extra allocation to the mining areas merely brings them up to the national average?

Mr. Strachey

Oh, yes, that is the purpose.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Will the Minister say whether or not lie can make some of these packs available to agricultural workers?

Mr. Strachey

It was decided, rightly, I think—

Mr. Manningham-Buller

By whom?

Mr. Strachey

By the Government. It was decided that the best use for these packs, as a small additional supplement of food, at the present time would be in the coalfield.

Mr. Assheton

Is the Minister aware that the production of agricultural workers is higher than it was before the war?

Mr. Stephen

In view of the fact that Ministers cannot pronounce Welsh names, will the right hon. Gentleman consider recommending Home Rule for Wales?

Mr. Walkden

Would it be very difficult to publish complete lists in the OFFICIAL REPORT of all the coalfields, in view of the complaints we receive that certain mining villages are being left out altogether?

Mr. Strachey

I will consider that.

Following is the list:

The County Borough of Cardiff.

The Urban Districts of Brynmawr, Abercan, Abertillery, Bedwas and Machen, Bedwelty, Blaenavon, Caerlon, Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale, Mynddislwyn, Nantyglo and Blaina, Pontypool, Rhymney, Risca, Tredegar and Usk.

The Rural Districts of Magor and St. Merlons, Pontypool, Crickhowell, Vaynor and Pendryn and Ystradgynlaid.

The County Borough of Newport.

The Administrative County of Glamorgan. The County Boroughs of Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea.

The Boroughs of Kidwelly, Llanelly and Pembroke.

The Urban Districts of Ammanford, Burry Port and Cwmamman.

The Rural District of Llanelly.