§ 96. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Food on what grounds he decided to allow bakers to make charges for bread deliveries; and if he will give particulars as to the dates when such charges were made prior to and during the recent war and the dates when they were discontinued.
§ Mr. WebbThe Bread Order already authorised a higher price for bread delivered by bakers to customers in certain sparsely populated areas. Inquiries I have made over a long period show conclusively that there were some other bakers who would have been unable to continue delivering bread unless permitted to make a charge for delivery. Consequently I authorised this charge as a permissive increase. It is not compulsory, and customers who do not want to pay it can transfer to bakers who do not charge it.
With regard to the second part of the Question, bakers were at liberty to make a delivery charge prior to the war and since, except from 31st August, 1947, until 23rd June, 1951.