HC Deb 07 November 1918 vol 110 cc2289-96
78. Mr. TURTON

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the abortive prosecution of the Easingwold Roller Flour Mill Company, who were charged with the alleged offence of grinding wheat at a mill in respect of which the particulars had not been furnished, when a Government inspector stated on oath that the grain in question was wheat it was proved beyond doubt to be rye; and whether he will in future take precautions that unnecessary prosecutions are not launched on the testimony of experts who are unable to differentiate between wheat and rye?

The MINISTER of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The witness in question was not a grain officer, nor was he put forward by the prosecution as an expert witness. He was merely called to prove the taking and identity of the sample of grain used, and he expressly stated that he knew nothing about cereals. The percentage of convictions shows that unnecessary prosecutions are not made.

    c2289
  1. FLOUR AND GRAIN (IMPORTED). 54 words
    2. cc2289-92
  2. MEAT. 810 words
    3. c2292
  3. MILK. 163 words
    4. cc2292-3
  4. HOUSE OF COMMONS (CLERGYMEN). 194 words
    5. cc2293-4
  5. ENEMY ALIENS. 164 words
    6. cc2294-5
  6. TRADE UNIONS (GOVERNMENT BILL). 306 words
    7. c2295
  7. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. 112 words
    8. c2295
  8. NATURALISED BRITISH SUBJECTS. 100 words
    9. cc2295-6
  9. ENEMY PROPERTY. 179 words