§ 13. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that railwaymen sleeping in railway coaches at Old Oak Common, because of their inability to obtain other accommodation, have been compelled to hand in their ration books to the local canteen and have thus been deprived of their entitlement to the value of their points for tinned foods, soap, extra sugar for jam making, cereals and fruits; and what guarantee he will give that the men concerned will receive the full benefit of the rationed foods to which they are entitled.
§ Mr. StracheyThese men are living in a hostel which is bound, like other catering establishments, to cancel coupons when anyone stays there for five days or nights. The rations allowed to the hostel provide for meals on the heavy worker scale, which is larger than the domestic ration.
§ Mr. SparksIs my right hon. Friend. aware that these men are not living in a catering establishment or in a hostel, but have to sleep in railway coaches? Will he look into this matter again, because it is causing grave discontent among railwaymen of all grades in this locality?
§ Mr. StracheyIf my hon. Friend will communicate with me, I will gladly look into the matter. My information is that they are living in what is a catering establishment, and having all their meals supplied, but this may be wrong.