asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied with the new arrangement for manufacturing yeast at Ipswich, whether the present quality is such that, as required by his Department, it will for seven days keep good in the possession of the merchant; and will he give the approximate number of tons of yeast that have become unfit for human consumption since the Order came into force?

I presume that my hon. Friend refers to complaints by distributors in Lincolnshire of the quality of yeast delivered to them, following the introduction of transport economies by the yeast manufacturers. Inquiries made by my' Department amongst bakers in the areas concerned have not confirmed complaints of the quality of the yeast supplies, and though losses occurred in the early stages of the scheme they appear to have been due to initial delays in transit, which have now been overcome. In the time available, I have been unable to obtain particulars of the quantity of yeast lost, but I have no reason to suppose that it was considerable.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend watch this matter very closely in the future?

Yes, Sir; it is being watched very carefully at the present time.