§ 32. Brigadier Raynerasked the Minister of Food what views on the differential rationing of farm workers have been expressed by the Trades Union Congress Committee which advise him on such questions.
§ Mr. F. WilleyResponsibility for decisions in such matters rests entirely with my right hon. Friend. We do, however, seek the advice of the Trades Union Congress, who have supported the allowances we have given to farm workers to offset the lack of canteens. Trades Union Congress have advised, however, against the principle of trying to discriminate between the needs of different kinds of workers for the purpose of differential rationing.
§ Brigadier RaynerCan the Parliamentary Secretary say what the urban gentlemen of the T.U.C. Committee really know about the conditions of farm workers? Does he realise that the chaps on my farm are working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.—sometimes a good deal longer—that the same thing happens on other farms and that this is one-third longer than the miners work, but without pithead meals or 12–hour canteens? To add insult to injury—
§ Mr. SpeakerIs this a question, or is the hon. and gallant Gentleman giving information about the employees on his farm?