FLOUR. (Hansard, 30 March 1920)

§ 71. Mr. HAILWOOD
asked if bakers and confectioners are allowed to use stocks of flour purchased at 44s. 3d. per sack of 280 lbs. for the manufacture of buns and confectionery without a surcharge of 19s. 3d. per sack; and if flour purchased at the present time at 63s. 6d. per sack and used for these purposes before 12th April will be entitled to the rebate of 19s. 3d. per sack?

§ Mr. PARKER
Arrangements have been made whereby bakers who manufacture both bread and confectionery will be allowed to use for the manufacture of confectionery the same proportion of their total Hour stocks held on 13th March as their manufacture of confectionery bore to their total use and sales of flour during the preceding four weeks. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. I may add that there has been a conference with the various sections of the trade, and that the results have been satisfactory to them.

§ Mr. HAILWOOD
Why has not the policy been made clear to us from the first?

§ Mr. PARKER
I am afraid that I cannot answer that question.

§ 74. Major ENTWISTLE
asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that retailers are called upon to advance money for a month for the increased price of flour whilst the wholesaler has no such obligation placed upon him, and that after advancing the money he will probably only receive credit notes from his wholesale supplier; and if the retailers could be given the option of receiving their rebate in cash weekly?

§ Mr. PARKER
With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on the 23rd March to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle (East). It is not considered administratively practicable to adopt the suggestion made in the second part of the question, but the Food Controller has made arrangements whereby millers are permitted at their discretion to allow the ordinary rates of discount on payment on the due dates of the old prices for flour, the balance of 19s. 3d. per sack becoming due at one month from the date of each invoice.