§ 53. Lieut.-Colonel WHITEasked the Prime Minister if any cases have been brought to his notice of speculative purchases of foodstuffs in bulk by persons who are not bond fide occupied in the production or distribution of such foodstuffs; and, if so, if he will introduce legislation making it a punishable offence for any inhabitant of the United Kingdom, not being a bond fide or necessary middleman, such as, for example, a wholesale salesman, to deal speculatively in bulk in food and similar essential commodities?
§ Mr. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. Some instances of speculative purchases of oil seeds were recently brought to the notice of the Food Controller, and action has already been taken in the matter on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. Dealings in these commodities are now restricted to legitimate traders who have been licensed for the purpose, and it is a punishable offence for any unlicensed person to buy, sell, or otherwise deal in them. The question of the extension of this principle to other commodities will, presumably, be considered by the Select Committee to which the Leader of the House referred on the 14th instant.