§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether she is satisfied that adequate profit margins have been available to small bakers within permitted bread prices since the latest threshold payments.
§ Mr. MaclennanThe Bread Prices Order provides a margin safeguard for bakers and other retailers of bread in respect of loaves bought in for retail sale. A supplementary payment on the bread subsidy is made to master bakers to cover their above-average production costs. They have recently made representations that the current rate is insufficient. I am considering the evidence they have submitted.