Stone-Ground Flour

HC Deb 19 January 1945 vol 407 cc510-1W

Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Food in how many cases during the past five years has his Ministry refused a licence to restore and restart country mills producing stone-ground flour; and whether it is still the policy of the Ministry to discourage the activity of these country mills.

Colonel Llewellin

During the past five years 15 applications have been received to start or re-start country mills producing stone-ground flour. Two of these applications were withdrawn and four of them were granted. Nine were refused because of the unsuitability of the premises or plant for the production of flour for human consumption. The answer to the last part of the Question is that it is not and has never been the Ministry's policy to discourage country mills capable of producing flour fit for human consumption. All applications have been and will continue to be considered solely on their merits.