§ Mr. Glenvil Hallasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if the extra cheese ration given agricultural workers can be extended to working 2124W farmers and smallholders, and if the extra allowance of tea and sugar given to farmers employing five or more harvesters can be given to farmers and smallholders employing two or more?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAs regards the first part of this Question, the special ration of cheese is intended to meet the needs of agricultural employees who take their mid-day meal with them to work and my Noble Friend is unable to extend it to farmers and smallholders. Arrangements have, however, been made whereby all farm workers engaged in harvest operations from about mid-August until 21st September can obtain an allowance of 8 oz. of cheese per person per week in addition to existing cheese rations. As regards the second part of the Question, there is no limit to the number of bona fide employees for whom farmers can obtain extra allowances of tea and sugar for the provision of refreshments in the fields at harvest time, or of tea for consumption during working hours at all times.