§ 35. Mr. CLOUGHasked the Food Controller whether, in view of the subsidy paid in connection with the supply of bread, he will resume the campaign of propaganda directed towards encouraging the economical use of this commodity?
The MINISTER of FOOD (Mr. Roberts)The weekly output of flour is under the constant survey of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies, and there is no evidence of uneconomical consumption. I do not propose, therefore, to take any official action of the kind suggested, though I desire to emphasise the advisability of continued economy in the use of breadstuffs.
24. Sir J. D. REESasked the Home Secretary why the Order prohibiting the sale of bread under twelve hours old is being maintained to the public inconvenience; and why bakers in Nottingham who are endeavouring to serve the public and to comply with local demands are being prosecuted for infringing a War regulation which the Ministry of Food has no desire to enforce?
§ 39. Major PRESCOTTasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that magistrates are imposing merely nominal fines upon bakers for breaches of the Bread Order, and that several Courts of Summary Jurisdiction have expressed the opinion that the time has arrived to repeal the provision prohibiting the sale of bread that has not been made for at least twelve hours; whether, whilst some bakers are strictly adhering to the provisions of this Order, others are generally flouting it; and if he will consider the desirability of repealing it at an early date, in view of the public feeling against it?
Mr. ROBERTSI have been asked to reply, and will answer the two questions together. I am fully aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member for Tottenham. At the request of the War Cabinet, the Minister of Labour recently appointed a Committee to inquire into night work in the baking industry, and decided that, pending the Report of this Committee, the twelve-hours Clause of the Bread Order should be maintained. So long as the Order remains in force it should not be contravened by any member of the trade to the disadvantage of his competitors.