HC Deb 01 November 1948 vol 457 c16W
74. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Minister of Food what action he has taken to ensure that all bakers have sufficient flour to enable them to sell bread to their regular customers up to the end of the present rationing period.

Mr. Strachey

Under the Flour Restriction Scheme bakers may obtain the same amount of flour as they received during the year ended 26th June, 1948, and they will therefore, be able to supply their customers with the same amount of bread. Flour cannot be made available in unlimited quantities and bakers and consumers alike must co-operate in avoiding waste or misuse by feeding to animals. Should local shortages of bread develop, divisional food officers are authorised to deal with them on an area basis. But we cannot guarantee that particular bakers who may have used their supplies improvidently may not run out before the end of the period. To do so would be to defeat the restriction scheme which took the place of rationing. We shall see to it however, that consumers can get bread at one or other of the bakers in their areas.