asked the Minister of Food what is the allocation of sugar for tea for factory workers and for those working in offices, respectively.

Heavy workers' category A canteens receive one-fifth of an ounce of sugar for each hot drink served and other works and office canteens one-eighth of an ounce. Where there is no canteen, industrial workers can get one ounce per head per week for communal tea making but none is allowed for office workers.

Can the Minister explain why there is this difference between the allocation to office workers and that to industrial workers where canteens are not provided?

On the whole, industrial workers are favoured in all food matters because it is considered that it is more important to give them increased nourishment.

Does the Minister seriously suggest that office workers ought not to be allowed a ration of tea and sugar and that industrial workers should be given a ration?

We should like to allow the ration to both, but I think it is reasonable to give the industrial worker prority.