Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies. – in the House of Commons at on 17 December 1941.
Sir Stanley Reed
, Aylesbury
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what proportion of the wheat milled in Great Britain is converted into national wholemeal flour up to the specification laid down by the Ministry?
Major Lloyd George:
In November, 1941, 4.2 per cent. of the total quantity of wheat milled in the United Kingdom was converted into national wheatmeal, and analyses of 180 samples produced during that period show that in the Majority of cases there has been strict adherence to the specification. Steps are being taken with a view to raising the standard of a minority.
Sir Stanley Reed
, Aylesbury
In view of the very slow progress made in the use of this flour, will my right hon. and gallant Friend consider whether more active steps could be taken to increase its production?
Mr Aneurin Bevan
, Ebbw Vale
Is my right hon. and gallant Friend satisfied that this scheme has succeeded? Is there not a great deal of disquiet because of the fact that people just cannot get the wholemeal loaf, and will he cause inquiries to be made as to whether it is not possible to increase consumption?
The term "majority" is used in two ways in Parliament. Firstly a Government cannot operate effectively unless it can command a majority in the House of Commons - a majority means winning more than 50% of the votes in a division. Should a Government fail to hold the confidence of the House, it has to hold a General Election. Secondly the term can also be used in an election, where it refers to the margin which the candidate with the most votes has over the candidate coming second. To win a seat a candidate need only have a majority of 1.
