§ 80. Mr. MACMASTERasked what are the returns, in cash and in kind, from the week of repentance and restoration?
§ 83. Mr. BILLINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the scheme of the Ministry for granting a period of seven days' grace to all hoarders of food in this country has proved a success; whether he will say the approximate quantity of each form of of food which has been surrendered; whether this includes the food which has been presented to hospitals during that, period, anonymously or otherwise; and whether he will undertake that all persons who refused to avail themselves of this opportunity of surrendering their hoards, if convicted for hoarding in the future, shall receive a sentence of a nature infinitely more severe than the convictions prior to the introduction of this scheme?
Mr. PARKERThere is every indication that the scheme for granting seven days' grace has proved a success, but sufficient returns from the local committees have not yet been rendered to enable me to state even approximately the amount of food surrendered. I am informed that a 1706 large quantity of food was presented anonymously to hospitals and other institutions. As to the last part of the question, in all hoarding cases which have occurred since the amnesty period, instructions have been given to press for severe penalties.
§ Mr. BILLINGDirectly these returns are available, will the hon. Gentleman publish them?