§ 55. Mr. Digbyasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that points goods such as canned meat and canned fish have been unobtainable in many rural districts at the time of the additional seasonal allowances made to farm workers; and whether he will arrange that in future extra points goods are sent to 881 agricultural areas so as to ensure that the additional points allocated to farm workers are honoured.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summerskill)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to Questions asked by the hon. Members for Tonbridge (Mr. G. Williams), Huntingdon (Mr. Renton), Canterbury (Mr. Baker White), Salisbury (Mr. J. Morrison), East Norfolk (Brigadier Medlicott), Maldon (Mr. Driberg), and South Molton (Mr. Lambert) on Monday. 20th September.
§ Mr. DribergIs my hon. Friend aware that, owing to the exigencies of our procedure, those replies were written replies and, therefore, we were unable to ask any supplementary questions? Would my hon. Friend bear in mind the very real hardship caused to dwellers in remote rural districts by these points shortages, and that most of them cannot get to any kind of catering establishment at all?
§ Dr. SummerskillYes, I recognise all the difficulties in rural areas, but my hon. Friend must realise that the rural workers particularly want canned meat and canned fish, and, unfortunately, those commodities cost dollars.
§ Mr. DribergAre they made available to catering establishments in the towns on a much more substantial scale than they are to the rural shops?
§ Mr. DigbyIn all places where there are seasonal increases in demand, such as in holiday resorts, are extra allocations allowed? Can the hon. Lady say whether in districts like Dorset, where clearly a large number of holidaymakers go, any extra allowance is made in respect of holidaymakers in addition to the extra points that are needed for the workers?
§ Dr. SummerskillYes, Sir. When the proprietors of catering establishments in holiday resorts go to the local food offices their needs are fully investigated and allocations are made, but the allocations of certain pointed foods, including canned meat and canned fish, are related to registrations only.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonAre not these sort of foods available in the ordinary course 882 of events in canteens in industrial and mining areas?
§ Dr. SummerskillCertainly. We try to distribute these things equitably between all workers.
§ Mr. HudsonSurely it is clear from the hon. Lady's answer that there is differentiation against the rural workers because they are not getting an equitable share of these things? The industrial workers and the miners are getting more than their fair share.
§ Dr. SummerskillI said nothing to indicate that. I said that all workers are treated equitably. These particular pointed foods are related to registrations, and the miner is treated the same as everyone else.
§ Mr. David RentonIs the hon. Lady aware that a large number of people who have meals regularly in industrial canteens are not heavy manual workers and, bearing in mind that those canteens get very much more meat than many other heavy workers get, will she please review completely the allocation of meat and high calory food to industrial canteens?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe hon. Gentleman must know that there are two standards in canteens, one for heavy workers and one for light workers.
§ 65. Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the shortage of goods obtainable for points; and whether any increase from non-dollar sources may be expected during the remainder of the year.
§ Dr. SummerskillReleases of points foods are sufficient to honour the points entitlements but I know that there is a shortage of some of the more popular imported canned goods. It was to provide more equitable distribution that the new method of allocations was introduced. There will be no increase in allocations of imported canned goods this year. For a number of other points goods there should be some slight easement of the position in the next few months.
§ Sir I. FraserWill the hon. Lady try to see that more varied and sustaining points goods are provided in rural areas, especially in the village shops?
§ Mr. DribergDid my hon. Friend say she hoped to introduce a more equitable system of distribution in the future? If so, in what respects has it been particularly inequitable in the past?
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir, I did not say that.
§ Mr. DribergI am sorry. I misheard my hon. Friend.