36. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Minister of Food why he has laid it down that membership of a trade union shall be a condition for consideration of applications by groups of workers for special rations.
§ Mr. StracheyNo such condition has ever been laid down, or observed, either by me, or by my predecessors.
Mr. Baker WhiteIn view of that reply, will the Minister explain why, when his Parliamentary Secretary met a deputation from the Fertilisers Manufacturers Association asking for rations for their heavy workers, she replied that she could not consider it, but if the workers concerned joined a trade union, it could be put forward through trade union channels and considered?
§ Mr. StracheyI should imagine that the nature of the reply was to the effect that the Trades Union Congress often advise us on these questions, and we will continue to pay very careful attention to their views.