§ 107. Mr. BENTHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps have been taken to ascertain the probable effect of the new Military Service Bill upon the supply of bread to the public; whether the National Association of Master Bakers and Confectioners have placed before the Reserved Occupations Committee a statement that unless steps were taken to retain bread bakers in their occupation the adequate supply of bread to the public would sooner or later become impossible; and whether the Board of Trade will make arrangements by which 1516 the whole subject can be discussed with representatives of the baking trade with a view to ensuring for the public an adequate supply of bread?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Pretyman)All bread bakers who were married on or before 2nd November last are already reserved, as well as single men over thirty years of age, and it is not proposed that the present reservation should be removed. In these circumstances, the fear of a shortage in the supply of bread owing to the new Bill appears to be unfounded, and I understand that the-opinion of the Reserved Occupations Committee is that no further reservation is required.