§ 2. Mr. HOGGEasked whether private traders and co-operative bakeries receive equal treatment in supplies of imported flour?
§ Mr. CLYNESIn the areas where the Commission places imported flour upon sale from time to time, equal opportunity of purchase is given to co-operative and private bakeries by flour agents.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the case that the supplies of imported flour are distributed in proportion to the amount imported previously by co-operative and private traders respectively, and has not the operation of this method the effect of penalising those people who milled largely in this country in the past and thus did their best to encourage British milling?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe basis stated in the supplementary question is the basis followed. If co-operative societies feel aggrieved on account of the increase in membership and wish to state their grievance, they shall certainly be heard.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my Hon. Friend not aware that it is not a question of the increase of membership, but that owing to the proportion in which they used imported flour and home-milled flour the present method acts unfairly to the people who have milled largely in this country in the past?
§ Mr. CLYNESI am not aware of that, but I will inquire.
§ Mr. GULLANDAre the different parts of the country treated equally in the distribution of strong foreign flours?
§ Mr. CLYNESThat is implied in the terms of my answer.