HC Deb 04 March 1948 vol 448 c504
18. Mr. Gallacher

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many barristers are retained by his Department for the prosecution of black marketeers; and is he satisfied that they are sufficient to cope with the number of cases involved.

Mr. H. Wilson

Ten barristers and seven solicitors in the Prosecutions Branch of my Solicitor's Department are responsible for the preparation and conduct in court of cases involving contraventions of the Acts and Statutory Instruments, for the administration of which the Board is responsible. About one-third of these cases are conducted in court by solicitor agents. I am satisfied that the number of officers employed is sufficient to cope with the cases arising at present.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that, while I hold no brief for the barristers, I have been advised that the prosecutions of black marketeers are not proceeding at the rate they should; and, further, can he satisfy the House that everything will be done to stop black marketeering by instituting more prosecutions?

Mr. Wilson

The hon. Gentleman's advice on this occasion seems to be wrong.