§ 43. Mr. LINDSAYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the Order fixing the price of pigs has been largely disregarded in certain parts of Ireland, and that persons who have observed it have been unable to make purchases while other persons who have evidently infringed it have been able to make purchases; if, consequently, a large firm of bacon curers in Belfast have been compelled recently to dismiss a considerable number of workmen; and if he proposes to take any action?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)As I informed the hon. Member for West Cavan Monday, the Food Controller is 1332 aware of the difficulties caused in some parts of Ireland by the contraventions on the part of pig-buyers of the Order fixing a maximum price for pork. Prosecutions have been instituted in several cases, and Lord Rhondda has no doubt that every effort will be made by the authorities in Ireland to enforce the Order. The recent Orders fixing respectively a live weight maximum price for pigs and wholesale and retail prices for bacon will, it is hoped, considerably improve the position as regards pork and bacon supplies in the North of Ireland and elsewhere.
§ Mr. LINDSAYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that about two weeks ago a man was convicted at Castlewellan for infringing the Order and was fined only 5s., which is much less than the amount of profit that he made?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have no information as to that particular case, but the Minister has drawn attention to the leniency of the penalties imposed.