§ 25. Mr. BYRNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the result of his inquiries into the auction of sugar in Dublin last week; and if the Government intend to prevent further auctions of food supplies which should find their way to the homes of the workers at prices within their reach?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)I am still awaiting full information regarding the auction to which the hon. Member referred. He will, however, be glad to learn that effective steps were taken to prevent a further auction which was contemplated on 23rd November, and that the Government realise the necessity of preventing such auctions from being held in future.
§ 26. Mr. R. LAMBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if his attention has been drawn to attempts made by some of the larger grocers and provision merchants in some industrial towns to use sugar cards to crush out the small shopkeepers by refusing to supply other necessaries like butter and tea to people who have not deposited their sugar cards with them; and whether he proposes to do anything to discourage and stop this practice?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Proceedings under the Defence of the Realm Regulations have already been taken and fines imposed in two such cases. As I have already stated, no retailer will be allowed to fetter his customer's right of free choice.