§ Mr. Hawkinsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection why he did not approach the larger independent millers and plant bakery companies, in particular, Messrs. Bugbrooke Mills' Fine Lady Bakeries, to buy the 23 Spillers bakeries to be closed.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe circumstances in which the Government were told of the imminent withdrawal of Spillers from baking—at very short notice and in confidence—required us to accept Spillers assessment that there was no possible alternative to the plan it proposed. The company specifically told us that it had considered—but had ruled out—the possibility of a sale to independent bakeries of the plants that were to be closed.