§ 50. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Food what were the terms of the indemnity required, as a condition of payment for goods seized by him under the Seizure of Food Orders, 1942 and 1946, from defendants acquitted or not prosecuted after the seizure; why he sought indemnity; and why he withheld payment pending receipt of indemnity.
§ Mr. StracheyI am sending the hon. Member a copy of the form of indemnity which has been used by my Department since 1942. Its purpose is to ensure that the proceeds of sale are returned to the legal owner, and it offers a much simpler method of doing this than if formal proof of ownership had to be given and verified.
§ Sir J. MellorWhat does the Minister want proof of ownership for, when he has seized the goods from the owner?
§ Mr. StracheyIt is just in those cases where the ownership may be in doubt.