§ 50. Sir H. Williamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food as the Canned Fish (Maximum Prices) Order (S.R. and O., No. 962, of 1943) does not prevent persons from acquiring canned fish other than by buying, what steps he is taking to regulate transactions involving barter?
§ Mr. MabaneMaximum Price Orders for Canned Fish have been in force for more than three years and my Noble Friend has no evidence that they have been evaded by "barter" transactions. If at any time he receives information in a contrary sense, he will give consideration to an amendment of the Order.
§ Sir H. WilliamsAs the question of barter does not arise, and as the Deputy Prime Minister said the other day that the only reason for inserting the word "acquiring" instead of "buying" was when an Order contemplated the possibility of barter, will the hon. Gentleman explain why the word is used unnecessarily?
§ Mr. MabaneCertainly. This is a maximum price order and you cannot buy save at a price. Where the word "acquire" is used it is not in the case of maximum price orders.