HC Deb 13 March 1950 vol 472 cc741-2
38. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Food if he will now reconsider the arrangements for the drawing of extra rations for agricultural workers and enable such rations to be drawn by the agricultural worker or his wife.

42. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the general dissatisfaction expressed last season, he will consult the National Farmers' Union, the National Union of Agricultural Workers and the Transport and General Workers' Union so as to improve the method of distributing extra-seasonal rations to farm workers who do not have the use of a works canteen.

83. Mr. David Renton

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to alter the present system whereby special rations for agricultural workers have to be drawn by or on behalf of the employer, and introduce instead a system whereby such rations are drawn by the workers themselves or their wives.

Mr. Webb

The only extra ration granted to agricultural workers is the special cheese ration which can already be drawn by the agricultural worker or his wife. Special seasonal allowances are also made to farmers to help them to feed their workers on the job at certain seasons when the work is heavy and urgent. These are not extra rations for the workers but catering allowances to farms, and I think that we have gone as far as we can by allowing a representative of the workers to collect them if the farmer cannot do so. This we did after discussion with the Advisory Committee of the T.U.C. in 1948, and it has worked well.

Mr. Hurd

Will the Minister get clear in his mind what is happening in practice—that the farm worker is not getting "fair do's" in this matter of extra seasonal rations? Will he not consult with the National Farmers' Union and the representative of the Farm Workers' Unions to see if it is possible to put into operation quickly an effective system, so that the farm worker gets equal shares with the factory worker?

Mr. Webb

I should like to have my mind clear at every moment, and if the hon. Member can help me to clear it, I shall be glad to see him.