§ 60. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that though bakery roundsmen must deliver bread not more than three times weekly they travel daily the whole of their rounds delivering one day to odd and the next to even numbers; that the presence of a roundsman in a street leads to demands for a daily supply, complaints from customers that demand is not met result in conflict between some employees and their employers; and if he will take steps to ease this situation.
§ Colonel LlewellinThe answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." If, however, my hon. Friend knows of cases of the kind described, I shall be glad if he will supply me with particulars. As regards the second part of the Question, my Department has received very few complaints from members of either the public or the trade in regard to the reduction of bread deliveries. I know of no reason for making any change at the present time.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman mean that there is no restriction on the delivery of bread and that roundsmen can deliver to anybody on any day?
§ Colonel LlewellinNo, Sir. There is a restriction. To ordinary consumers, bread can only be delivered every other day.
§ Mr. DaviesWhen the Minister is drafting this kind of regulation again, will he be good enough to think of himself as a bread roundsman, having to face customers in the way I have suggested in the Question?
§ Colonel LlewellinI think there are very few bakers who are delivering to alternate numbers—to even numbers in one street on one day and to odd numbers in the same street the next day. It is a stupid way of delivering and will not save the petrol and man-power which most people are anxious to save in these times.