Mr. KENNEDY JONESasked the Food Controller whether, in view of the statement by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food that there is an actual loss to the State at present of at least 4d. on every quartern loaf sold at 9d., he will state, by adducing prices, how the cost of 13d. per quartern loaf to the State is arrived at; what is the aggregate of this loss per year to the State; and whether there is any immediate prospect of a reduction in this amount?
Mr. ROBERTSIt is difficult within the limits of a Parliamentary answer to give the figures for which the hon. Member asks, and I am accordingly causing a statement on the subject to be sent to him. It is estimated that the loss to the State—that is to say, the aggregate of the bread subsidy—is at a rate not exceeding £50,000,000 per annum. I am afraid that there appears no prospect of a material reduction in this amount, at any rate during the next few months.