§ 79. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the case of a baker who was fined for giving his customer more bread than he paid for; and if he will take steps to amend the law so as to restrict its application to persons who give short measure to their customers.
§ Mr. SoamesThe public must be protected and the basis of the present system is to require bread to be sold in specified weights which can easily be recognised by the housewife. That may mean occasionally that a baker with a loaf which does not conform to the specified weights commits an offence. The Weights and Measures Bill now before Parliament will, in fact, continue the present requirement, and if the hon. Member so wishes he may like to take up the matter when that comes before the House. Meantime, I should not feel justified in altering this long-standing provision.