§ 43. Major Sir Jocelyn Lucasasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that his Department will not allow proceedings to be taken by local authorities under Section 6 of the Food and Drugs Act without his permission; and whether he will now amend this decision.
§ The Minister of Food (Colonel Llewellin)Section 6 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, has been suspended so far as it relates to food as from 1st January, 1944, by Regulation 1 of the Defence (Sale of Food) Regulations, 1943. So far as proceedings under the new Regulations are concerned, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Foster) on 10th January.
§ Sir J. LucasAs, unfortunately, I do not know that answer may I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend if he would allow some latitude to local authorities?
§ Colonel LlewellinThe point, I gather, is that before this Order is enforced the consent of my Ministry has to be obtained. That is necessary. These are prosecutions in regard to general labels and it would be unfair if traders who used them were prosecuted successively in different areas for the same offence.