HC Deb 28 June 1939 vol 349 c414
46. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the per centage of the total milling capacity in this country that is dispersed among the inland towns as compared with the total milling capacity, which includes the port mills?

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

As I stated on 14th June in reply to a question by my hon. Friend, a substantial proportion of the total milling capacity of the country is dispersed among inland towns, and there is still in the aggregate an excess capacity as compared with peace time requirements. I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to supplement these particulars in the way my hon. Friend now desires.

Mr. De la Bère

Does my hon. Friend really mean to tell the House that he has no figures in connection with a matter which comes under his direct purview; can he possibly suggest that it is against the public interest that any further additional milling should be done in the rural areas—surely there can be no secret about it—and is my right hon. Friend unable or unwilling to do it?