§ 73. Mr. Isaacsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will examine the facts disclosed in a prosecution by the Southwark Borough Council of a firm offering coloured sugar for sale as lemonade powder at 1s. 4d. 358 per lb., which they purchased from Messrs. M. Saper, Limited, Argall Avenue, Lea Bridge Factory Estate, who held a priority permit from the Ministry of Food to obtain sugar for manufacturing purposes and who were fined at the Lambeth Police Court on 31st December, 1941; and will he consider taking such steps to prevent this evasion of the provisions of the Rationing Order, 1939, and the subsequent fraud upon the public?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe facts in this case are already being investigated. The retailers of the coloured sugar sold as lemonade powder were prosecuted by the Southwark Food Control Committee under the Rationing Order for supplying sugar without authority, for selling sugar at a price in excess of the maximum, and for entering into a fictitious transaction. These cases were heard at the same court and at the same time as the prosecution by the borough council. It is incorrect to say that M. Saper, Ltd., hold a priority permit from the Ministry of Food, but the amount of their permits for sugar for manufacturing purposes is being reviewed.
§ Mr. IsaacsIs the Department taking special steps to see that these acts of fraud on the public are stopped as speedily as possible?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe matter is being investigated. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, a new Order has been issued, probably since this prosecution, which safeguards the public in regard to many of these substitutes.