§ 56. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food on what date the full explanation about the bad and fusty flour was sent by his Department to the Grimsby and District Bakery Trade Association; why this information was not given to the House; and if he will now publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. StracheyAn explanation was given as soon as our inquiries were completed On 24th November. I will publish the text of the letter in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The fustiness was caused by some of the wheat which was delivered to the millers coming into contact with wheat damaged by timber in the hold of the importing ships. Steps have been taken to ensure that in future wheat tainted in this way is not mixed with the wheat delivered to millers.
§ Mr. OsborneDo I understand from that answer that the reply was sent on the 24th, the day I put my Question down, so that the Minister had not carried out the undertaking he gave to the House to give that information? Why did he want to hide it from us?
§ Mr. StracheyThere is not the slightest suggestion of wishing to hide it. That is the full explanation, and the hon. Member will see the letter in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the letter:
§ The Ministry of Food.
§ Portman Court,
§ W. I.
§ 24th November, 1947
§ DEAR SIR,
§ You wrote to Mr. Osborne, M.P., on 1st November about supplies of fusty flour which were received from millers by the bakers in your district.
§ As a result of enquiries which have been made I. find that some of the wheat from which the flour was milled had been shipped from Canada under a load of timber. The grain which had been in contact with the timber was set aside as unfit for human Consumption, but the wheat delivered to the millers contained a small percentage of grain which, although it had not been in contact with the timber, carried to some extent the odour of timber. I have to express my regret that the proportion of slightly tainted wheat included in the supplies delivered to millers was sufficient to affect the quality of the flour, and to inform you that steps have been taken to ensure that in future wheat which may have been tainted in this way is not mixed with the wheat delivered to the millers.
§ Yours faithfully,
§ T. F. SKILTON,
§ Director of Cereal Products.
§ The Secretary,
§ Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Baking Trade Association,
§ 178, Freeman Street, Grimsby.