§ 43. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Food if full rations are provided in the canteens for the miners and when a six or seven day week is worked in North Staffs are full rations provided for every day worked.
§ Mr. StracheyMiners' canteens draw rations on the industrial "A" scale on the basis of the number and type of meals served, and this applies whenever the canteen is open, even if this is seven days a week.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIs my right hon. Friend aware that at one of the pits the output target was 6,000 tons, while the men's output was 9,500 tons, and yet on several mornings their canteen had no milk or sugar and one morning the men had no breakfast? Is he aware also that the men were only allowed rations for five days although they did a six-day or seven-day week? In view of the great efforts that these miners are making, will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking to make an immediate investigation into this matter to ascertain who was responsible and to prevent a repetition?
§ Mr. StracheyCertainly, Sir. If my hon. Friend will give me the name of the canteen in question I will do so. There must have been some error in the allocation.
Mrs. ManningWill my right hon. Friend also undertake to discuss with the Minister of Mines the possibility of having welfare workers in the canteens? There is considerable dissatisfaction among miners at the way in which the canteens are run.
§ Mr. StracheyThat is a matter for my right hon. Friend. We are not responsible for the running of the canteens.