§ VISCOUNT BLEDISLOEasked His Majesty's Government whether they can 804WA state what is the total amount of starch that is being used annually in laundries in Great Britain; and whether in view of the prospective shortage this year of home-grown wheat and other crops yielding edible carbohydrates, they view with disfavour the excessive use thereof in British laundries, and whether, as in the First World War, they propose to make an appeal accordingly to launderers and the wearers of starched clothing to restrict its use.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH)The total amount is about 5,000 tons. This quantity is only about 40 per cent. of the amount used before the war, and represents some 2 per cent. of the total quantity of starch made available for consumption in this country. In these circumstances, it is not proposed to make an appeal of the kind suggested.
House adjourned at six minutes before six o'clock.