§ 63. Mr. de ROTHSCHILDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the price of the quartern loaf has been increased; that the decision to effect this increase was made when the price of flour was 35s. a sack; whether it has come to his knowledge that the bakers, having entered into an agreement with the National Food Council not to raise the price of the quartern loaf while flour remained at less than 36s. per sack, are thereby guilty of a breach of faith; whether he is aware that considerable differences exist between different districts as regards the price of the quartern loaf; and whether he intends to take any steps to remedy these discrepancies?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)As was stated in the reply given to questions on this subject by the President of the Board of Trade on 8th April, the Food Council have under consideration the position arising from the recent increase in the price of bread and are in fact, meeting on Friday. Pend- 2165 ing the receipt of a report by the Food Council, I do not propose to express any opinion on the merits of the question.