HC Deb 28 April 1948 vol 450 cc394-6
52. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Food if he has now concluded his discussions with the T.U.C. regarding an extension through the year of the seasonal allowances of extra food to farm workers who have no canteen facilities; and if he will arrange for these extra rations to be drawn direct by farm workers or their wives.

The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)

I must repeat that I cannot alter the period of these seasonal allowances, nor allow them to be drawn as a differential domestic ration. But we are determined to see that the workers who are entitled to them actually get them, and we shall be issuing new regulations designed to ensure that they do so.

Mr. Hurd

Will these new regulations allow the farm worker or his wife to draw these rations direct?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir. As I have just implied, that would be a differential domestic ration; but the regulations will provide for them to be drawn by the representatives of the workers where there is a difficulty in the farmer drawing them.

Mr. Stubbs

Is the Minister aware that displaced persons in camps and hostels can get two meat meals a day, and what proportion of people relying upon the ordinary ration can do that? There is a great deal of feeling on the subject and something must be done about it. Will not the Minister say why he will not help the farm workers?

Mr. Strachey

In regard to the displaced persons in hostels and catering establishments, they get exactly the same ration as British workers living in the same institutions. We could not give them any less.

Mr. Assheton

Is the Minister aware of the great dissatisfaction among small working farmers who have to work just as hard on their farms as the labourers?

Mr. Strachey

That is another question.

Mr. Tiffany

Can the Minister say the date when these new regulations will be issued and whether they will obviate the delay which often takes place between the time when the food is issued and when the worker actually gets it?

Mr. Strachey

We are disturbed by the cases which have been brought to our notice where the farmer, for good reasons and perhaps for not such good reasons, has failed to distribute this food. The new regulations will be designed, if possible, to overcome that difficulty.

Mr. Assheton

Will the Minister answer my question?

Mr. Strachey

I should want notice of that, since it is an entirely different subject. This Question deals with allowances to farm workers.

Mr. Assheton

It is mentioned at the end of the question.

Mr. Strachey

With all respect to the right hon. Gentleman, he asked whether these facilities would be extended to working farmers. That is a question which has been asked in the House a number of times, but it is a different question from that with which I am dealing at the moment.

Mr. Assheton

Cannot the Minister answer it now?

Mr. Strachey

I could repeat the answer which I have given a number of times in the House, but I do not think it is very relevant to this Question.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

In reference to the right hon. Gentleman's reply about displaced workers in hostels, how can he justify their getting higher rations than ordinary farm workers on private farms?

Mr. Strachey

All British farm workers or other workers in hostels get the same rations.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

Will the Minister reply specifically to the first part of the Question. Has the T.U.C. now removed its veto in this matter?

Mr. Strachey

There is no question of a Trades Union Congress veto. We have discussed the whole matter of differential rationing with the Trades Union Congress Advisory Committee, we are discussing it, and we shall continue to do so.

Mr. Turton

Why is it that the coal-miner is allowed to draw a differential ration and an agricultural worker is not?

Mr. Strachey

The hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension. An agricultural worker draws a differential ration. For example, he draws a differential ration of exactly eight times the amount of cheese, and a differential ration of bread also.

Mr. Tiffany

Can my right hon. Friend say when these new regulations will be made public?

Mr. Strachey

As soon as possible.

Mr. Baldwin

In view of the widespread dissatisfaction with the present rationing system, which is shared by hon. Members in all parts of the House, will the Minister consider meeting representatives of the National Union of Agricultural Workers and the National Farmers' Union to see whether this iniquitous position cannot be reversed?

Mr. Strachey

If those bodies approached me, I have no doubt that I would be willing to meet them.