HC Deb 22 September 1948 vol 456 c96W
66. Mr. G. Williams

asked the Minister of Food what is the reason for the new order imposing penalties of up to a £500 fine and two years' imprisonment for farmers who fail to apply for seasonal rations for their workers; what evidence he has that farmers as a whole have been failing to apply for the rations; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the rations applied for, particularly those on points, are available in the shops.

Dr. Summerskill

My hon. Friend appreciates that most farmers already obtain and distribute seasonal allowances, but some workers were prevented from sharing in the allowances because their employer failed to apply for them. The order is to ensure that all eligible agricultural workers get the benefit of seasonal allowances. With regard to the last part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend gave him on 20th September.