§ 68. Mr. COCHRANEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if difficulty is being experienced by retailers in the country in selling quantities of certain small food 2222 stuffs at the prices fixed by the Food Controller owing to the scarcity of farthings; and whether he will consider the advisability of having a larger supply of these coins put into circulation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIn view of the demand for other denominations of coin there are difficulties in effecting a considerable increase in the output of farthings, but the Royal Mint is in communication with the Ministry of Food on this matter. I may add that 42 tons of farthings, or 15,000,000 pieces, have already been issued in the eleven months of this year, an amount about three times the issue for the whole of 1914.
§ Mr. COCHRANEWill the right hon. Gentleman see that no proceedings are taken against any retailers who charge the extra farthing on small amounts of foodstuffs in cases where change is not available?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is hardly a matter for me, but I will inquire into it with the Ministry of Food.