asked the Minister of Food what steps are taken by his Department to make sure that all retailers regularly deliver to local Food Offices bread-rationing coupons collected by them; and what is the minimum percentage of such deliveries which is always counted in his Department.

Local officers have standing instructions to see that every retailer submits promptly any documents which he is required to complete or to surrender. Where necessary they resort to legal proceedings. Food offices count differing proportions of B.U.s delivered to them, but they always check a certain proportion of them, in no case less than 5 per cent.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are numerous bakers who still have sacks of B.Us. dating right back to 1946, and that they have never been asked to deliver them? Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to see that his instructions are carried out?

Yes, Sir. Prosecutions have been taken successfully in several cases.

I refer to the Minister's instructions to food officers to collect B.Us. from bakers, because I have had many instances given to me where no question has ever been raised, and these things have remained in the bakers' shops for years.

Yes, Sir. The onus is on the retailer to deliver them. Proceedings have been taken in cases where they have not been delivered.

Is it not a fact that this is just another example to show that bread rationing has become a complete farce?