Note! In Britain a tablespoon holds 17.7 ml while the American tablespoon holds 14.2 ml, so you may have to make some adjustments to the above (British) quantities.
Line a seven inch square baking tin with greaseproof paper which has been well buttered.
Melt the butter, sugar and treacle in a saucepan over a gentle heat.
Sieve the flour and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl.
Add the oatmeal and spices.
Add the melted butter and treacle mixture, a well beaten egg and the milk to the bowl, stirring well until completely blended.
Pour into the baking tin and bake in a pre-heated oven at 350F/190C/Gas Mark 4 for about 45 minutes.
Allow the cake to cool for ten minutes before turning out onto a wire cooling rack.