§ Mr. JOHNSTONEasked the Minister of Food if control is being exercised by 465W the Ministry of Food in connection with the use of wheaten flour for textile trade purposes; if a demand is in operation at present by the Ministry for a return of all purchases of wheaten flour since September, 1917; whether an examination is being undertaken of textile firms' books by officials of the Ministry of Food; if a staff of officials is being maintained for this purpose; and what is the object of this course of action, involving labour and expense to textile firms and cost to the State?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The use of flour for sizing and other industrial purposes is prohibited except under licence, which is granted on payment of a sum approximately equivalent to the amount of the subsidy. These licences are issued from the headquarters of the Ministry. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As to the remaining parts of the question, a small staff of inspectors is maintained to check the use of flour for precluded purposes. If this staff were not maintained a very substantial loss to the State would ensue from the unchecked use of subsidised flour for manufacturing purposes.