HC Deb 18 February 1942 vol 377 cc1797-8
57. Mr. Thorne

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with food offences against T. Prichard, Limited, and others, for buying and selling illegally 420 cases of dates, 2¼ tons of sugar, 6 cwt. of margarine and 3 tons of cooking fat; and what action has he taken to prevent similar actions?

Major Lloyd George

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

The following firms and persons were prosecuted at the instance of the Ministry of Food at the West London Police Court on 13th February and were convicted and fined as below:

  1. (1) Harry Morris for failing to supply invoices on a sale of 420 cases of dates and for various other offences relating to that purchase and sale of sugar, margarine and cooking fat—fined a total of £160.
  2. (2) T. Pritchard, Ltd., for various offences in connection with the purchase and sale of sugar, margarine and cooking fats—fined £50.
  3. (3) Tom Pritchard, director of T. Pritchard, Ltd., for various offences connected with purchase of sugar and margarine fined £100 with £10 costs.
  4. (4) J. E. Pritchard, director of T. Pritchard, Ltd., for the same offences as Tom Pritchard, fined £100 with £10 costs.
  5. (5) David Gold for selling sugar by wholesale above the maximum price, fined £100 with £10 costs.

In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, the Ministry's Enforcement staff throughout the country are ceaseless in their efforts to detect such offences and to secure evidence on which proceedings may be taken.