asked the Minister of Food if, in order to avoid repeated form-filling and ensure that all farmworkers get their due of the special allowances of rationed foods this summer, he will issue direct to them the necessary permits valid until the end of October.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot allow workers themselves to draw the extra allowances, as they are not a differential ration for the individual, but a substitute for meals in a canteen. He is, however, making fresh arrangements to facilitate the distribution of the special allowances of food.

Is the Minister aware that the present arrangements are wholly unsatisfactory, and that throughout this summer many farmworkers will be putting in 60 hours a week? Will the Minister look at this again?

I think what has been wrong is that some of the farmers have failed to co-operate.

Have the farmers not enough form filling to do already? Does the hon. Lady realise that it is the individual farmworker whom we want to benefit, and not the farmer?

No, I am not aware of that. The farmer has only to fill in one form which covers the period and the number of workers employed.

He has then to go and divide the food according to his individual workers.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the schemes break down because so many farmers do not make the application in respect of their men? Will she consider the extreme desirability of making the rations available to the men?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is, "Yes, Sir," and to the second part, I am sure my hon. Friend will be pleased to hear that the T.U.C. Advisory Council met my right hon. Friend on this point today.

May I ask what it has to do with the T.U.C.?

It has a great deal to do with the T.U.C., because the men are doing the work.