§ 62. Mr. McKinlayasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the firm of Smith Bros., Glasgow, supplied meat to the value of £1,500 to a firm of restaurateurs in Glasgow without a permit from the local food office; and if he will take steps to have this firm removed from the list of authorised meat traders.
§ The Minister of Food (Colonel Llewellin)I am aware of the case referred to by my hon. Friend. Inquiries, however, showed that the supposed firm of "Smith Brothers" did not in fact exist. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs it within the knowledge of the Minister's Department that a firm was being covered up by the use of this name? What steps does he propose to take to proceed against the firm who actually supplied the stuff and were using "phoney" invoices?
§ Colonel LlewellinWe cannot prove that the firm in question actually did supply the stuff. As the hon. Member knows, unfortunately the prosecution against the retailer failed. We do not, as a rule, revoke licences or put people out of business unless they have had a conviction in a court against them.
§ Mr. McKinlayIn view of the unsatisfactory conclusion of this inquiry, will the Minister take power to impound documents in such cases, so that the originals cannot be destroyed between the inquiry and the case coming to court?
§ Colonel LlewellinYes, Sir, if it is possible, as I know that documents mysteriously disappeared in this case.