§ Mr. Muffasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any decision has been reached about maintaining the price of flour at its present level?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAn Order came into force on 6th October advancing the delivered price of flour from 25s. 6d. to 33s. 3d. per sack of 280 lbs. on the same day the Flour (Maximum Retail Prices) Order came into force, and prescribes maximum prices for flour when sold by retail.
§ Major Milnerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that under a recent order of his Ministry the price of flour for sale by retail may be increased by as much as 40 per cent.; that any increase will cause hardship, particularly in the North of England where housewives bake their own bread; and whether the matter may be re considered?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI presume the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Flour (Maximum Retail Prices) Order,1136W 1941. This Order prescribes maximum prices for flour whereas previously retail prices were uncontrolled. I am aware that some increase of the retail price of flour is inevitable, but in implementing the decision to withdraw the subsidy from flour used for purposes other than bread sold by traders, it was not possible to differentiate in the retail price of flour required for other purposes.