National Flour

55. Mr. E. P. Smith

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the percentages of the present components of standard flour?

§ Mr. Mabane

National flour is at present milled from a grist consisting of 90 per cent. wheat and 10 per cent. diluent grains. Authorised additions are calcium at the rate of 7 oz. per 280 lb. of flour and dried milk at the rate of 2 lb. per 280 lb. of flour and customary improvers in normal proportions.

Mr. Smith

Can the hon. Gentleman say what are the components of the 10 per cent. diluent grains?

§ Mr. Mabane

Barley, oats and rye.

Mr. Astor

What are "customary improvers"?

§ Mr. Mabane

They are certain oxidising agents which improve the quality of the bread baked from the flour, and their nature depends on the kind of grain used, whether hard or soft.