§ 49. Mr. Rodgersasked the Minister of Food if he will ensure that agricultural workers engaged in producing food on the land, and who have to have their midday meal away from home, should have extra meat rations so that their food is not inferior to those workers in the towns who have access to industrial canteens.
§ Mr. WebbFarm workers already receive a special cheese ration of six times the ordinary ration to compensate them for the lack of catering facilities in rural areas. I regret, that for the reason I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) on 13th March, I am unable to give them extra meat as well.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the snippet of cheese which is given to the farm worker is in no way equal to what the worker in the town gets in his canteen, and that there is great dissatisfaction among agricultural workers in this matter?
§ Mr. WebbI know that a great many complaints have been made about it, but it is a very complicated problem. It is no good extending the range of extra rations without proper consideration. I am prepared to be advised by the Trade Union Advisory Committee.