Major Millsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on 3oth March the price of flour, London straights, was quoted as being 9s. per 280 lb. lower than on the corresponding date a year ago; whether he has consulted the Consumers' Council as to the present price of the 4 lb. loaf; and, if not, will he do so?
§ Captain WallaceI am aware of the fact to which my hon. and gallant Friend alls attention. The present price of bread in London (9d. per 4 lb. loaf) is in conformity with the Food Council's scale of bread prices. It should be borne in mind that in November last this scale was provisionally revised by538W lowering the flour prices on which it is based by 3s. per sack of 280 lb. I should further point out that on 30th March, 1937, the price of flour had reached a point which justified an increase in the price of bread under the scale then operative, and the price of the 4 lb. loaf in London was raised from 9d. to 9½d. on the 5th April, 1937.