HC Deb 09 July 1941 vol 373 cc173-4
49. Sir Stanley Reed

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that half a slice of bread a day saved by every man, woman and child, would provide in the course of a year shipping space for sufficient steel to make 10,000 25-ton tanks; and whether he will therefore take more active steps to encourage the use of the national loaf, which is more nourishing and more satisfying than white bread?

Major Lloyd George

Steps have already been taken to advertise national wheatmeal bread in the daily Press, and, with the co-operation of the baking trade, a special National Wheatmeal Week will be held in London during the week beginning 21st July. Further steps to draw the attention of the public to the importance of increasing the consumption of national wheatmeal bread are under consideration.

Sir S. Reed

While I thank my hon. and gallant Friend for that information, would he be so good as to check the returns he receives in his own bread department as to the availability of this loaf?

Major Lloyd George

I will certainly do that, although, of course, we do get information constantly on the situation with regard to this loaf. The practice is that where people want the loaf and cannot get it, if they apply to us, we do our best to see that they do get it.

Sir Francis Fremantle

Would my hon. and gallant Friend ask the medical profession throughout the country to help in this matter, because they would be glad to do so?

Sir William Davison

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is a good deal of misunderstanding as to what actually is the national loaf? People know about brown bread and white bread but do not know about this national bread.

Forward to