§ 57. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that retailers are not notified of any change in price of certain foodstuffs until several days have elapsed after the date when the new price comes into operation; and what steps are taken in the case of retailers who had not been notified of a change in price if they are found to be exceeding the maximum price.
§ Sir B. SmithAs regards the first part of the Question, the normal procedure is for a trade Press notice containing the relevant information to be issued to the trade Press for the week before the operative date of the change in price. At the same time, a Press notice, drawing attention to the making of the Statutory Order, is sent to the newspapers. There are 1154 standing instructions that printed copies of the Order shall be available to the public at the Stationery Office by the time these notices are published. If this machinery has broken down in 'any particular instance, I shall be glad if my hon. Friend would let me have details.
In reply to the second part of the Question, I would point out that ignorance of the law is no defence, but any food control committee would consider all the relevant circumstances of the case before instituting proceedings