§ 62. Major NEWMANasked whether the machinery at present in use in British flour mills is capable of producing the new standard war flour; and, if not, what immediate steps will be taken to avert a bread famine?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI am glad to take this opportunity of pointing out that, in cases 1567 in which the adaptation of milling machinery, so as to produce one uniform grade of flour, presents serious difficulty, it will be sufficient if all the grades of flour produced are mixed together thoroughly and uniformly in preparing the flour for delivery. The process of manufacture of the flour, as dealt with in the Order, will not be deemed to be complete until the flour is ready for delivery.
§ 65. Mr. PRINGLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the new Order dealing with the milling of flour, the flour which has been hitherto used for the manufacture of biscuits and which is essential for that purpose will no longer be milled; and, if so, is he aware that the effect of the Order will be to destroy the valuable export trade in biscuits which has hitherto been a monopoly of this country?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe existing stock of flour will enable the manufacture of biscuits to be maintained for some time, and meanwhile the point raised by the hon. Member will receive careful consideration.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the hon. Gentleman see that the matter receives immediate attention, as the stocks are very low?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI will inquire into it.
§ 67. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the restrictions placed on the milling of flour will almost certainly affect the feeding of young pigs; that already the price of young pigs in Norfolk has gone down from £l to 12s. owing to the difficulty of obtaining sharps; that substitutes for sharps cannot be found except at high cost, and even then they are not so nourishing and in some instances harmful; that the question of sharps also affects the rearing of ducks; and will he say what the Government proposes to do in the matter?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI am advised that the direct use as human food of those parts of the wheat grain which are required for the production of such flour as is prescribed by the Order issued on Monday last, furnishes more nourishment than if obtainable from the meat which would be produced by their use as food for animals bred for consumption.
92. Captain BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has 1568 given authority for the quartern loaf of wheaten bread to be made partly of maize-meal; and whether, seeing that maize-meal does not blend satisfactorily with wheat-flour and is less attractive' to the taste than either oatmeal or barley-meal, he will consider the desirability of selecting one of the latter cereals in preference to maize for this purpose?
§ Mr. PRETYMANNo authority of the kind referred to has so far been given by the Board of Trade. If and when the occasion arises I shall be glad to bear the suggestion in the question in mind.