§ 57. Mr. Toucheasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he was aware that there have recently been many prosecutions on behalf of the Ministry brought before Reigate Borough Bench for alleged minor offences of the food control regulations; that some of these summonses have been dismissed by the bench and, in other cases, small fines were imposed; and whether more discretion can be used to ensure that minor or technical breaches of these regulations should be dealt with by caution rather than by prosecution?
§ Mr. MabaneIt has not been possible in the time available to gather the information required for a reply, but when the necessary inquiries are complete I will communicate with my hon. Friend.