§ 54. Mr. Tinkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the concern caused by a recent prosecution over hoarding of food; and will he make it known what is the position in the household as to the stock of food they are entitled to hold in reserve without laying themselves open to prosecution?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. As to the second part, it is an offence under the Food (Acquisition of Excessive Quantities) Order for any person to acquire food in excess of the "normal quantity," which is defined as
such quantity as would be required for use in the household or establishment of that person during a period of seven days or such longer period as ought fairly to be allowed in view of the existence of any special circumstances.My Department does not, in practice, prosecute cases where the excess acquired over the normal quantity is believed to be open to any doubt, but it is for a court to 1062 determine how far the existence of special circumstances affects a particular case.
§ Mr. TinkerIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is hardly correct to say that the position is not as it has been described in my Question? There is a great questioning in the country regarding the recent prosecutions, and I should like him to be more definite regarding what stocks a householder can have without running the risk of prosecution, because this matter needs to be cleared up.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI think there ought to be no doubt in the matter. The terms of the Order say that no person shall have in his house any food which exceeds the normal quantity required by him, and the normal quantity is defined as being the quantity for a period of seven days. Under special circumstances it may be a little more. For instance, in the case of a person living in a remote part of the country, obviously it should be greater, but in any case it is for a court to decide the point.
§ Sir Leonard LyleWas it not the deliberate policy of the Government in the past to encourage the acquisition of food stocks by householders, and is the Minister aware that people are entirely bewildered when they find that what they were told a few months ago was a patriotic and justifiable thing to do is now regarded as being a criminal offence?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI cannot possibly accept my hon. Friend's interpretation of the situation. This Order was issued on 31st August, 1939, and if members of the public were not aware of it, it has been made very clear to them since. The fact is that there has not been a large number of prosecutions in these cases. The Order states quite definitely what is the period. A normal period is interpreted as being seven days, and there should be no doubt in the minds of any members of the public of what hoarding means after that.
§ Mr. TinkerIn view of the uncertainty of the position, I beg to give notice that I shall take an early opportunity of raising this matter.