§ 29. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the difficulties of families of canal boatmen who live upon their boats in obtaining regular supplies of rationed foods; and if he will grant such 1722 boatmen the extra cheese ration, or seamen's rations, where they are not permanently resident ashore.
§ Mr. StracheyI am confident that canal boatmen and their families get all their rations although they may not be able to draw them regularly; I am afraid I cannot allow them more because of their shopping difficulties.
§ Mr. SparksIs my right hon. Friend aware that they are unable to get all their rations because these families are constantly on the move? Milk is one important item which they are not able to get regularly, on account of the fact that they are constantly on the move. Is it not a fact that the children have to suffer from the lack of at least this one commodity, and will my right hon. Friend look into this matter again and endeavour to help these families?
§ Mr. StracheyIf my hon. Friend can give some details, we shall be interested to go into them; but these people do move along recognised routes, and my information is that they get their rations.