§ Dr. Littleasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the smuggling of necessaries from Northern Ireland to Eire, including flour, of which 16 tons were recently seized in one lot, he will immediately, in the interests of the food supply for Northern Ireland, end this traffic by taking steps to order imprisonment, without the option of a fine, for smugglers and all engaged in the black market?
235W
§ Mr. AsshetonThe Customs Acts and Defence Regulation 76B of July last provide very heavy penalties including, at the discretion of the courts, imprisonment in addition to, or in lieu of fines. The penalties are already commensurate with those prescribed for black market offences, and in view of the number and magnitude of recent detections I do not think that further legislation is required at present.