§ 9. Mr. Digbyasked the Minister of Transport if he will increase the number of permits issued to county councils to enable county roadmen to obtain Thermos flasks, having regard to the hardship caused to roadmen who have no flasks and are unable to obtain a hot drink all day.
§ Mr. BarnesI regret that, owing to the temporary reduction in the output of vacuum flasks, which was described by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade in his reply on 25th November to my hon. Friend the Member for South Battersea (Mrs. Ganley), the issue of permits to roadmen, among other priority users, has been restricted. If the hon. Member brings to my notice any case of special hardship, I shall be glad to examine it.
§ Mr. DigbyIs the Minister aware that many roadmen have been without Thermos flasks for a considerable time 1676 and, as farm workers can usually obtain them, would the Minister reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. BarnesI have studied the general difficulty. Therefore, I must come down to individual cases if the hon. Member will submit them to me.
§ Mr. Ronald ChamberlainWill the Minister bear in mind the possibility of using mobile canteens which were so very useful in wartime and which are now being used by building operatives on remote sites? Might not this suggestion be a solution to the problem?
§ Mr. BarnesI will look into it.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonHow many roadmen are involved?
§ Mr. BarnesI cannot say.
§ Mr. NicholsonIf the right hon. Gentleman says he cannot say, what is the meaning of his answer?
§ Sir Waldron SmithersWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that many urban district councils and borough councils have rural areas where conditions are much the same as in rural district and county council areas?