§ 40. Mr. RADFORDasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the rise in the price of food and the suffering caused thereby, he will invite Parliament to give effect, by emergency legislation limited to the duration of the War, to the recommendations made last year by the Select Committee on Short Weight, that short weight and measure generally in the retail sale of goods should be made a statutory offence; and that, with regard to bread, any sale of bread of less weight than 1 lb., or a multiple of 1 lb., or lees weight than that guaranteed, should render the seller liable to a penalty for the sale of short-weight bread?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. As has already been explained, I do not think that the amendment of the existing law relating to short weight in the sale of bread or other commodities can conveniently be undertaken at present. The Board of Trade, however, addressed a circular, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, to local authorities, suggesting that they should take certain measures with the object of protecting purchasers from short weight in the sale of bread.