asked the Minister of Food what extra rations are provided for imported Irish and European volunteer workers and how these compare with the scales allowed to British labour engaged in similar work.

asked the Minister of Food what is the scale of food rations allowed to displaced persons; and how it compares with the scale allowed to our own people.

Workers from Eire, and displaced persons who come to the United Kingdom as European volunteer workers, receive exactly the same ration as British workers engaged in similar work.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very wide impression about that European volunteer workers are receiving 3s. 6d. worth of meat ration every week, as opposed to 1s. worth for our own people, and can he give an assurance that that is not the case?

Yes, Sir. I very much value the hon. Gentleman's collaboration in dispelling this rumour. The workers concerned, I repeat, receive exactly the same scales of ration as British workers doing the same work.

Is it not the case that Irish and other volunteer workers using industrial canteens do in fact get 3s. 6d. worth of meat?

They get the allowance of the industrial canteens, whether they are British workers or displaced persons.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make arrangements for village blacksmiths to qualify for the same food rations as are granted to agricultural workers.

Travelling blacksmiths in rural areas are granted the same special cheese ration as agricultural workers on the certificate of their county agricultural committee. Village blacksmiths habitually working at or close to their homes can take their mid-day meal at home and do not, therefore, qualify for the special cheese ration.