53. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that on 13th March a gang of five men at his Department's feedingstuffs depot at Eastry, Kent, took 57 minutes to load 27 sacks, each weighing 56 lb., on to a lorry; that the leader of the gang refused the offer of the lorry driver and his mate to do the loading without assistance; that during the loading period four of the five men spent 30 minutes drinking tea; and whether he will ensure that there is a more economical employment of labour at this depot.
§ Mr. WebbI have made careful inquiries into these allegations and am satisfied that they are not well founded. This depot is efficiently and economically managed and its handling costs over the past year are highly satisfactory. I am sending the hon. Member a full statement on this particular event, which, I think, he will find reassuring.