§ 112. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for War why, in view of the world wheat shortage, the rations issued to British troops serving abroad still include white bread; in what overseas theatres this practice is now observed; and whether he will direct that the extraction rate of the bread supplied to all British units shall in future be the same as that eaten by civilians in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BellengerFlour of an extraction rate of 72 per cent. is issued in all overseas theatres, firstly because flour of a higher extraction rate deteriorates rapidly in hot climates, and secondly because the four main Commands are supplied by direct shipment from North America and Australia, where the darker flour is not milled. The answer to the second part of the Question is therefore in the negative so far as troops overseas are concerned.