HC Deb 03 November 1947 vol 443 cc1323-4
. 28. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the Unemployment Insurance (Agricultural) Act, 1936, specifically excludes from unemployment insurance, persons employed in agriculture by their relations, even when the employment is under Contract of Service; and if he will explain the precise categories of such persons who can qualify for an extra cheese ration in accordance with the reply given to the hon. Member for Aberdeen and Kincardine, Western (Mr. Thornton-Kemsley) on 14th July.

Dr. Summerskill

The special cheese ration is available only to those workers in agriculture who hold Unemployment Insurance cards stamped with the word "Agriculture," and to those other workers mentioned in the reply by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Aberdeen and Kincardine, Western (Mr. Thornton-Kemsley) on 25th June.

Mr. Collins

Is my hon. Friend aware that, to my knowledge, it has so far been impossible for any of those other workers to obtain an extra cheese ration? Could she tell us the procedure to be adopted because, when they go to the employment exchange, they are told that they do not qualify for an agricultural employment card, and when they go to the food office they cannot get the cheese ration?

Dr. Summerskill

I can assure the hon. Member that this is the first complaint we have had—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] We are talking about the other workers specified in the answer to the Question. If a worker who feels he is entitled to this extra cheese makes an application to the employment exchange, and is sponsored by his employer, I can assure my hon. Friend that he will get it.

Mr. Hurd

Is the Minister aware that in the other category mentioned in the Question, namely, farmers' relations, there are many hundreds of farmers' sons, who may be tractor drivers working away from home all day, who do not get the cheese ration under the present arrangements? It is very unfair to them.

Dr. Summerskill

I recognise that there may be individual cases of hardship, but we must draw the line somewhere, and on most farms the relations of the farmer can get a meal at the farm.

Mr. E. P. Smith

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind the truth of the old text, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn"?

Mr. Collins

Will my hon. Friend look further into this, as there is considerable confusion and misunderstanding, for it is not only a matter of hard cases and borderline cases, a considerable number are not getting the cheese ration who are entitled to it?

Dr. Summerskill

Yes, certainly.