§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the present position regarding the fortified loaf proposed by the Minister as long ago as July last, but not yet supplied; what salt of calcium, and in what amount, is to be added to the fortified loaf; and whether he has taken the advice of, clinical physicians as well as of laboratory experts as to the desirability of the addition of calcium?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry) on 20th May, and, as regards the second and third parts, to the reply I gave my hon. Friend himself on 19th February.
§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what success has attended his efforts to induce the public, by advertisement or otherwise, to consume the national whole-wheat loaf of 85 per cent. extraction; whether he is aware that there is difficulty in obtaining this loaf; and whether, in view of the urgency of the need to save shipping space, and to provide bread of a higher nutritive value than the straight run white flour, he will follow the example of the Union of South Africa, which, faced with the same difficulties has recently prohibited the provision of straight run flour?
1732W
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe output of national wheatmeal has risen steadily during recent weeks, and bakers in many parts of the country report encouraging increases in sales. Members of the public still find difficulty in obtaining supplies in certain districts but the number of complaints reaching the Ministry is decreasing. As regards the last part of the Question, the position in South Africa is not the same as in the United Kingdom and, as at present advised, my Noble Friend is not prepared to increase the rate of extraction beyond 75 per cent. to which he raised it on the 21st April last.