HC Deb 22 January 1941 vol 368 cc196-7W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been drawn to the desirability of encouraging the reconditioning of country mills to start the milling of stone-ground flour, obstacles to which seem at present to be furnished by certain clauses of the orders issued under emergency powers legislation, 1939?

Mr. Johnstone

My Noble Friend knows of no Statutory obstacle to the reconditioning and operation of country mills which may operate under the General Licence (S.R. & O., 1940, No. 568) issued under the Control of Mills (Flour and Provender) No. 1 Order. Several small mills have recently recommenced work on the initiative of their owners, and the Ministry of Food has taken steps to bring back into production some large country mills which had been closed down in recent years. Many small mills, however, have been either partially or wholly dismantled, and where this has happened it is doubtful whether the labour and materials required to re-equip and operate them could be made available.

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