HC Deb 18 June 1941 vol 372 cc651-4
58. Sir Malcolm Robertson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, seeing that the extraction of flour from wheat has been raised from about 70 per cent. before the war to 75 per cent. to-day, what is the loss of animal feeding-stuffs per week thereby incurred, and the additional loss that would arise for each 1 per cent. increase in the rate of extraction above the present figure?

Major Lloyd George

While it would not be in the public interest to publish figures from which the present production of flour and animal feeding-stuffs might be calculated, I am happy to be able to assure my hon. Friend that there has been no appreciable decline in the supply of home-milled wheat by-products, as compared with the pre-war supplies.

Mr. Loftus

Will the Minister consider the gain to public health in providing the public with nutritious flour, instead of the devitalised product hitherto offered by the great milling concerns?

Major Lloyd George

My hon. Friend is probably aware that a great deal of work has already been done in this regard.

Mr. Stokes

Docs not the Minister think it highly desirable that the monopoly of the milling combines should be broken once and for all?

Commander Locker-Lampson

If a 95per cent. content was given in the last war, why can we not give it in this war?

Major Lloyd George

There are other considerations to be thought of there. The higher the extraction the less we get for feeding-stuffs. I believe that in the last war the content was probably less.

59. Sir M. Robertson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, if the rate of extraction of flour from wheat were raised to 85 per cent. in order to provide a universal wholemeal loaf, it would increase the amount of flour available by 13⅓Per cent., but the resultant decline in the amount of wheatfeed would be 40 per cent.; and, in view of the substantial reduction in the importation of maize and barley from abroad, what steps he proposes to prevent further reduction in the supply of wheatfeed which must lead to a considerable decrease in the nation's milk and meat supplies and to a heavy slaughtering of livestock?

Major Lloyd George

The percentages quoted by my hon. Friend are substantially correct. As regards the latter part of his Question, the possibility of avoiding a reduction in the supply of home-milled wheat by-products depends, to a considerable extent, upon the availability of shipping.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Minister not think it highly desirable that these vitamins should be fed to the human species direct, instead of through the digestive organs of a cow?

Major Lloyd George

That process is the first consideration.

Mr. Maxton

Has the Minister had any complaints from housewives that the new loaf becomes mouldy within a short period of its arrival in the household?

Major Lloyd George

I have had no complaints, but it is obvious that this loaf will not last quite as long as the other.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Is it not a fact that if you added the other 25 per cent., it would not become mouldy?

Sir M. Robertson

Is the Minister in close touch with the Ministry of Agriculture on this subject?

Major Lloyd George

Yes, Sir.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Will the Minister receive a deputation?

60. Commander Locker-Lampson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has made an estimate of the amount of shipping which could be saved if a wholemeal loaf of 95 per cent. content were adopted; what saving in meat and other food products would ensue; and how many tons of offals would be available for pigs and poultry if all wheat were milled here?

Major Lloyd George

My Noble Friend has estimated the amount of shipping space which could be saved on the transport of grain for bread for various rates of extraction and has considered this in relation to other factors of importance which must be taken into account. In reply to the second part of the Question, as raising the rate of extraction would not be likely to increase the consumption of bread, it is unlikely that any saving in meat and other foods would ensue as a result of altering the rate of extraction of flour. In reply to the third part of the Question, as the flour mills of this country are already milling wheat practically to their full capacity, it is obvious that to raise the rate of extraction to the figure mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend would result in a substantial reduction of the wheat by-products available for pigs and poultry.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Will the Minister receive a deputation on the subject?

Major Lloyd George

If my hon. and gallant Friend cares to make such an application, I will consider it.

67. Sir M. Robertson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what has been the percentage increase in the consumption of wholemeal flour in the 12 months ended 31st March last compared with the preceding 12 months; what percentage the present consumption of wholemeal flour represents of the total consumption of flour in the country; and what percentage of this consumption is being used for purposes other than human food?

Major Lloyd George

I regret that no separate records are available to show the consumption of wholemeal flour in either of the periods mentioned by my hon. Friend. It is estimated, however, that since July, 1940, the consumption of wholemeal and wheatmeal flour has increased and now represents some 3 per cent. of the flour consumption of the country, exclusive of national wheatmeal flour, which has only been produced since the beginning of this year and represents approximately 1½ per cent. of the flour consumption of the country. As regards the latter part of my hon. Friend's Question, the use of any flour for purposes other than human food is prohibited, except under licence, by the Milled Wheaten Substances (Restriction) Order, 1940. My Department has not licensed the use of any undamaged flour for the feeding of dogs or for any other purpose.