White Flour (Hansard, 18 February 1953)

§ 22. Mr. H. Hynd
asked the Minister of Food if he will defer the introduction of the new white flour until the House has had an opportunity of discussing this subject.

§ Major Lloyd George
No, Sir.

§ Mr. Hynd
Has the right hon. Gentleman considered distinguished medical opinion warning the public about the harmful effects of the white flour, as given by the Radio Doctor on two occasions? Will he give us the opportunity of discussing the scripts of the broadcasts, which I have in my possession, before the new flour is put on the market?

§ Major Lloyd George
The hon. Gentleman should put down a Question to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on that. The National flour is available to anybody who wants it and the white flour is also available to those who want it. Whatever is added to the white flour is added only as a result of advice after investigation by the medical authorities concerned.

§ Mr. Fernyhough
On a point of order. May we have your guidance, Mr. Speaker, as to how we may put Questions to Parliamentary Secretaries as the Minister has now invited my hon. Friend to put a Question to his Parliamentary Secretary?

§ Mr. Speaker
I heard what transpired. and I thought the subject-matter of the Question which it was suggested might be asked of the Parliamentary Secretary had nothing to do with the Ministry of Food but was concerned with some broadcasting scripts.

Miss Lee
Will the Minister reconsider his answer? The kind of bread for which they pay money is an important matter to housewives. They are often greatly perplexed. Will the Minister give the housewife some information in simple non-technical terms so that she may know the value of the different kinds of bread?

§ Major Lloyd George
The National loaf will continue as it is today. Those who wish to have white tour—I understand there are a number—can get it. But the National loaf remains the same.

§ Mr. Shinwell
As the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has invited us to ask his Parliamentary Secretary a Question on the subject of white flour, might I now ask the Parliamentary Secretary to state his views on that subject?

§ Mr. Speaker
That would be quite irregular.

§ Mr. Hynd
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.