50. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether, in connection with the relation of the price of bread to the price of flour, upon which the maximum price of bread is fixed, he will give an assurance that he will not accede to the representations of the baking industry in favour of a modification of the scale in their favour?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonAs my hon. Friend is aware, representations for a modification of the bread price scale have been made and an investigation into baking costs is being conducted by my Department. Pending the completion of this inquiry I can give no such assurance as is suggested.
Mr. De la BèreCan my right hon. Friend tell me whether flour has been fixed at a standard price for the war, and the quality is the same, why it has been possible to grade it so that it is cheaper in some districts than others? Does not the whole matter want looking into and can the Minister say how many of these bakeries are owned by milling combines?