§ 15. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any cases of fraud have arisen under the Cattle Industry (Emergency Provisions) Act; if so, will he state the number and whether proceedings have been taken against the individuals concerned; and what action is being taken to prevent any further frauds?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAlthough in many cases the Cattle Committee find it necessary to make enquiries before payment is made, the number of cases of suspected fraud is quite small. Up to the present, no case of actual fraud has been proved and no legal proceedings have been taken. The question of taking proceedings is, however, now under consideration in two instances. With regard to the last part of the question, the arrangements for making payment under the Ad contain a number of safeguards and wide publicity has been given to the fact that any person found guilty of fraudulently obtaining money from the Cattle Fund is liable to heavy penalties.