§ 52. Mr. Emeryasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of recent prosecutions in Stockport for selling an onion extract which consisted of 99.1 per cent. of water and in Leeds for selling egg substitute consisting of 96 per cent. water resulting in small fines; whether he will consider withdrawing all licences for the manufacture of food substitutes unless shopkeepers and customers can be given a guarantee that the articles for sale are as those which were granted a licence or introducing legislation to ensure that offending manufacturers will be committed to prison for a minimum period of five years, together with fines which will absorb more than their illegal profits?
Major Lloyd GeorgeYes, Sir. I am aware of the cases to which my hon. Friend refers, but I do not think it necessary to adopt either of the suggestions in the latter part of his Question.
§ 54. Mr. Thorneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give information as to the case brought against a Navy, Army and Air Force Institute's inspector on 19th January, at Hatfield Police Court, for hoarding various kinds of food, and having 444 bars of chocolate, 200 meat cubes, besides dried fruits, tea, sugar, cheese and matches; and, in view of the statement made by the chairman of the court, what action he intends taking about the case?
Major Lloyd GeorgeA person, stated to be an inspector of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, was prosecuted at the instance of the Ministry of Food and convicted at Hatfield on 19th January of acquiring an excessive quantity of various foodstuffs and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment and a fine of £50 and ordered to pay three guineas costs. The observations of the chairman of the bench have been brought to the notice of the institutes.
§ 55. Mr. Thorneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the Bathurst Estate Company, Limited, and its managing director who was charged at Cheltenham Police Court for obtaining 12 dozen eggs from a retailer with whom he was not registered; and did he take any action in the case?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe Bathurst Estate Company supplied eggs to the Earl of Bathurst who was not a registered customer. The Earl of Bathurst and the secretary of the company were prosecuted at the instance of the Ministry of Food on 19th January at Cheltenham and were fined £75 with six guineas costs and £21 with three guineas costs, respectively.