HC Deb 18 February 1943 vol 386 cc1953-5W
Mr. W. Brown

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the shortage of rubber boots among agricultural workers in the Rugby area; and whether he will consult with the requisite authorities to remedy this deficiency by drawing on the surplus of rubber boots at police stations and Auxiliary Fire Service stations throughout the country?

Mr. Hudson

I am aware that there are not sufficient rubber boots to supply all who desire them, but a further allocation of permits is now being made which should suffice for the essential needs of agricultural workers. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security assures me that the rubber boots held by the police and the Fire Service are no more than sufficient to carry out their duties.

Mr. Brown

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that among girls employed in the Women's Land Army in the Warwickshire area and especially around Rugby, there is a shortage of equipment, such as heavy coats and rubber boots and that this shortage is giving rise to undue sick leave; and whether he will call for a report from the wardens of hostels for the Women's Land Army in this area as to the effect of this shortage on the women's health and take immediate steps to remedy the position?

Mr. Hudson

As regards the general supply of Women's Land Army uniform and rubber boots, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend-on-Sea (Mr. Channon) on 3rd December last. Adequate supplies of uniform are now available, but it has been difficult for the Women's Land Army county offices to distribute arrears to members already at work. I am informed that the distribution of great coats to volunteers employed in Warwickshire has now been completed, except in a very few cases where special sizes of coats are required and are being obtained.

Mr. Perkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many pairs of rubber boots he expects to be able to allocate to the Gloucestershire War Agricultural Committee for the first three months of 1943?

Mr. Hudson

One thousand seven hundred.

Mr. Granville

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to increase the issue of permits for the supply of rubber boots to agriculturists through the county war agricultural executives with particular reference to East Suffolk?

Mr. Hudson

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr. Touche) on 28th January and to the hon Member for Rugby (Mr. W. Brown) to-day.

Mr. Granville

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the fact that there is a shortage of permits for the purchase of rubber boots in East Suffolk, despite the fact that such boots are displayed in the shop windows of nearby towns; and whether he will take steps to remedy this?

Mr. Dalton

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 28th January by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture to my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr. Touche).