§ 32. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a firm was recently fined 500 for selling tea at less than the controlled price; and can he state what is the policy involved in the creation of this offence?
§ Mr. CLYNESYes, Sir. The maximum retail price of tea was made a fixed price in order to prevent traders in a large way of business from selling at cost price, or even at a loss, for the purpose of gaining custom at the expense of small retailers, who have at once a right to live and a distinct value for purposes of distribution.