§ 74. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in the event of hay for which the full purchase price has not been paid by the civil bureaux or other Government authority being sold the following year, interest on the 1918 price is charged; and whether such interest is paid to the dealer or to the farmer?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)I have been asked to answer this question. In the case of all hay of the 1918 crop, of which delivery has not been taken, interest is paid, calculated on the actual purchase price. The farmer is given the full benefit of this interest.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTWill my right hon. Friend say what the interest is?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think it is 5 per cent.
§ 75 and 123. Brigadier-General CROFTasked (1) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any 1918 bay has been sold by dealers in 1919 at a price higher than £8 per ton plus commission, which price was paid under the Defence of the Realm Act in 1918;
(2) The Secretary of State for War what steps are taken to see that 1918 hay, which was purchased under the Defence of the Realm Act in that year, and which has passed into the hands of dealers, will be sold at the 1918 price?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have been asked to reply. A number of cases of over-charging for hay by dealers have been reported to the Forage Department, and in every case the offenders have been prosecuted and fined. Similar action will be taken in any further cases that come to notice.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTIn the case of serious offences, has the question of imprisonment been considered?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not sure that the question of imprisonment has been considered. I will undertake that it shall be.