Deputy allowed half-ration because of exhaustion of resources (9)
I believe the answer is:
depletion
'exhaustion of resources' is the definition.
'depletion' can be an answer for 'exhaustion' (thesaurus). I'm unsure of the 'of resources' bit.
'deputy allowed half-ration' is the wordplay.
'deputy' becomes 'dep'.
'allowed' becomes 'let' (to let is to allow or permit).
'half' indicates taking half.
'ration' halved is 'ion'.
'dep'+'let'+'ion'='DEPLETION'
'because of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for depletion that I've seen before include "Reduction in total value (of a resource)" , "An exhausting, using up" , "Emptying" , "consumption?" , "Reduction in number or quantity as through over-use" .)