§ 72. Sir Henry Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Food how many ration books have been stolen during the present distribution; how many of the 14,000 ration books stolen from the Food Office at Ware, Herts., on 30th May have been recovered; and what steps he is taking for the better protection of ration books, including more drastic punishment of those found guilty of this form of sabotage of the war effort.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)The total number of ration books so far stolen during the present distribution is 15,230. Two hundred extracted clothing books have also been taken. None of the books stolen from the Ware office have yet been recovered. All possible steps are taken by my Department for the safeguarding of these documents. When the culprits are apprehended, they are prosecuted by the police and the sentences imposed are determined by the courts and not by my Department.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that food offices in country towns have no facilities for protection against this form of crime? Could not the ration books be stored at local police stations and drawn as required? Further, would my right hon. Friend not consider a more adequate punishment for this type of crime?
§ Mr. MabaneWe do take the greatest care in safeguarding these documents, but, as I have said, the question of punishment is for the courts, and not for the Ministry of Food.
§ Mr. ThorneMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman can say how many points were involved?
§ Mr. MabaneThe appropriate number of points according to the number of books involved.