§ Mr. Tinkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the rationing of tea is causing more hardship on some sections of the people than on others, as the underground workers in the mines take with them cold tea, and in the hot mines large quantities are required; and, in view of this, will he consider allowing an extra supply of tea to mineworkers?
§ Mr. BoothbyMy Noble Friend is aware that no system of rationing can operate with perfect equality as between one class of worker and another. He is not, however, at the present moment in a position to authorise supplementary rations of tea to any class of worker.
§ Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the present tea ration falls with greater severity upon old people; and whether he will increase the ration to three ounces in the case of old age pensioners?
§ Mr. BoothbyI have every sympathy with the position of old age pensioners, but I regret that it would not be practicable to increase the tea ration for this class of consumer.
§ Mr. Horabinasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the arrangements for the rationing of tea permit consumers to exchange a sufficient number of coupons to enable them to buy an economic quantity of tea?
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§ Mr. BoothbyConsumers are at liberty to anticipate one week's tea ration. This permits them to buy two weeks' rations, that is ¼ lb. of tea at a time. I see no reason to modify these arrangements.