§ 42. Mr. JAMES HALLasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the bread now sold in London is inferior in quality to that sold as first-quality bread prior to the War: and whether he is pre pared to set up an inquiry into the practices of the baking trade in the preparation of bread for sale with a view to inroducing legislation to compel bakers to mark bread as being of either first or second quality?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am not aware of the inferiority to which my hon. Friend refers, and as at present advised, I do not see any necessity for such an inquiry as is suggested.
§ Mr. HALLDoes not the Minister think that as bread is the staple food of the poorest people, steps should be taken to consider the possibility?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter of opinion.
§ 50. Mr. MATTERSasked the Minister of Health whether any investigation has been made by his Department into the use of chemical substances, known as improvers, in the treatment of flour used for bread-making?
§ Mr. GREENWOODYes, Sir. The addition of certain so-called "improvers" to flour was discussed in a report made to the Local Government Board in 1911. More recently the whole question of the treatment of flour with chemical substances was the subject of an inquiry by a Departmental Committee which reported to my Department in 1927.
§ Mr. MATTERSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since 1927 several improvers have been put on the market, and that there is expert opinion which suggests that they are absolutely destructive of the nutritive value of the bread?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIf my hon. Friend will give me evidence of that, I will ro-consider the whole question.