Mr. De la Bèreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, with a view to retaining as far as possible the whole of the 26,658 licensed bread bakeries throughout the country, he will reconsider the proposal to withdraw the whole of the additional subsidy?
§ Mr. MabaneMy Noble Friend is satisfied that the withdrawal of the temporary subsidy on bread granted last October will have no substantial effect upon the number of licensed bread-bakers. He has, nevertheless, anticipated my hon. Friend's suggestion by granting until the end of September a subsidy of 2s. a sack on the first 8 sacks of bread produced weekly, pending production of further evidence by the National Association of Master Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers that such assistance is necessary. To the 15,000 smallest bakers this represents the retention of half the recent subsidy.