§ 54. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Prime Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to prosecutions in which traders and others have been found guilty of deliberate evasion of the restriction of food prices; whether he is aware that various groups of farmers have withheld milk supplies from all, including invalids and children, owing to a maximum price being fixed by a local food control committee, and, in view of the hurt done to the nation by food gambling and profiteering, whether it is proposed to take any steps by disfranchisement or otherwise, to express the public disapproval of those who have been guilty of these practices during the War?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)I have been asked to reply. Traders and others found guilty of evading food regulations are punished by fine or imprisonment. Supplies improperly withheld are made the subject of requisition. It is thought that these methods of expressing public disapproval are sufficiently appropriate.
§ Mr. ANDERSONAre we to understand that men who have used the chance of war to plunder people are going to retain undiminished the rights of citizenship?
§ Mr. CLYNESI did not understand that my hon. Friend was in any circumstances in favour of disfranchisement.