§ 15. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether in view of the continuing increase in the price of bread, he will reimpose price control.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of wheat has gone down, but the price of flour has gone up, and that the milling combines, having bought up the largest bakeries, are making enormous profits out of 573 inferior bread? How long will he tolerate this scandalous profiteering now beginning to manifest itself with the shilling loaf?
Mr. AmoryI am aware of none of the things that the hon. Gentleman says, and, therefore, I think the second part of his Question does not arise.
§ Mr. BaldwinWould my right hon. Friend tell the House in how many countries in the world except Great Britain it is possible for an unskilled worker to work for ten minutes and buy himself a pound of bread?
§ Mr. D. JonesDoes the right hon. Gentleman recall that some months ago he pooh-poohed the idea of the shilling loaf? How far from a shilling is it now?
Mr. AmoryQuite a considerable distance. The unsliced, unwrapped 1¾ lb. loaf is obtainable in most areas of the country at either 10½d. or 11d.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that he cannot come down to the House and plead ignorance when he is in difficulties? We know that the price of bread generally will be 11d., and may even be 1s. at the end of next week in parts of the country.
Mr. AmoryI was not speculating about the future but was merely saying what are the facts at the present time.
§ Mr. LiptonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.
§ 16. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further regulations he proposes to make regarding improvements in the quality of bread.
Mr. AmoryI will consider whether further regulations are needed when I receive the relevant report of the Food Standards Committee.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has become urgent, that the big combines are using a flour which is deliberately doped with stuff called G.M.S. in order to retain more water and thereby increase the weight of the loaf? Is he aware that in these circumstances we are getting steamed 574 cotton wool instead of honestly baked bread, and will he do something about it?