§ 50. Mr. Lyonsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps were taken on the representations 1212 made over a year ago by the North Midland Shop Traders' Federation against the profiteering by several middlemen in respect of the sale of foodstuffs and the need for the licensing of dealers?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George)In the course of its administration, the Ministry of Food is continually regulating by Order and Direction the prices and distribution of foodstuffs. In the year ending 4th April, 1941, 324 Statutory Orders were made with this object. These Orders cover all essential, and most other, important foodstuffs. Where the price of a commodity is controlled by Order, profiteering becomes a criminal offence. In the case of all commodities owned by the Ministry, distribution is carried out through approved wholesalers and other recognised distributors. In the case of other commodities I fully recognise that existing traders would, speaking generally, favour a system of licensing which would restrict distribution to firms already in business. My Noble Friend is not, however, satisfied that it is desirable in the national interest to make this restriction universal, although as control is extended the licensing or selection of distributors becomes more complete.
§ Mr. LyonsIn view of the statement that my hon. and gallant Friend made a week ago, that he had not heard of this matter a long time since, will he now alter that statement and say that this matter was brought forward by this body over a year ago to stop the profiteering of which the Minister now complains?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have no recollection of saying what the hon. and learned Gentleman says I said.
§ 51. Mr. Lyonsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it was by his instructions that a statement to the effect that inquiry into profiteering in tinned soup had been completed by the Ministry of Food was issued coincidentally with the report of the Food Price Investigation Committee, North Midland Region; whether that investigation was to the knowledge and with the co-operation of the same committee; and whether this report is to be made public?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe Press notice issued on 1st May was issued on the 1213 instructions given by my Noble Friend. The investigation referred to in the notice was conducted by officials of the Ministry based on information received by the Ministry from a member of the public. As information which was found to relate to the same transactions was received from the North Midland Price Investigation Committee some days after the investigation had started, a copy of the report was, as a matter of courtesy sent to that Committee. It is not proposed to publish the report on the investigation which was conducted in order to ascertain whether there had been any infringement of the Food (Current Prices) Order. In so far as the report disclosed prima facie infringements, the matter is sub judice, and in so far as the transactions took place prior to the Order—which was made with the express object of stopping speculators' transactions coming into operation—no useful purpose would be served by its publication. My hon. and learned Friend will remember that such investigations can only be made because of the emergency powers granted to Government Departments to compel traders to produce their records. While it is proper to use information thus obtained in legal proceedings, it is clearly against public policy that it should be used to create prejudice against any section of the community.
§ Mr. LyonsIs it not the fact that the matters which were brought to light by the North Midland Committee some two weeks ago were investigated by them at the instigation of certain citizens of Nottingham who had written to the hon. and gallant Gentleman telling him that the statement with which he was supplied to contradict me was quite inaccurate?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe Question of the hon. and learned Gentleman refers specifically to allegations regarding tinned soup, and the information which I have given in the Answer to this Question is the correct information, that this investigation was in progress nine days at least before similar allegations from the investigation committee were received.
§ Mr, LyonsCan my hon. and gallant Friend say how it was that this matter was taken up by the North Midland Committee while the Ministry of Food was supposed to be dealing with it?
§ Mr. ShinwellIf allegations about profiteering are found subsequently to be substantiated, is it not desirable in the public interest that the report should be presented to this House?
Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir; we act on information after investigation has taken place, and surely it is not in the interests of justice that such information should be given before these proceedings have been taken.
§ Mr. ShinwellMy hon. and gallant Friend misunderstands me. If the allegations have been substantiated or disproved, as the case may be, is it not desirable that the report should be made public?
Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir, because as a result of the report being received we may or may not take action in the courts, and therefore, surely, it would be most undesirable that publication should be given of facts before the people implicated in the case appear before the court.
§ 54. Sir P. Hurdasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can make a further statement about the profiteering in live chickens; and what steps the Ministry are taking?
Major Lloyd GeorgeInformation has reached me that in order to avoid the provisions of the Poultry (Maximum Prices) Order, purchasers at certain auction marts, when buying live chickens for killing for food, are giving written declarations that the birds are bought for breeding, laying and rearing. Cases are now under investigation with a view to legal action.