HC Deb 12 November 1952 vol 507 c942
39. Mrs. Mann

asked the Minister of Food how many firms have reduced the weight of chocolate bars acting under his Statutory Order; and how many have increased the weight to the maximum permitted in the Order.

Major Lloyd George

The work involved in extracting this information would not be justified.

Mrs. Mann

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that my very great concern is with his being involved in an action for being an accessory before and after the fact of selling short weight to the public? Is he not in danger of arrest?

Major Lloyd George

If I am in danger of arrest I should say I am in very good company, because lots of the hon. Lady's Friends would be with me, because the Statutory Order was laid in their time. However, the fact of the matter is, as the Parliamentary Secretary pointed out to the hon. Lady last week, that there has to be tolerance with these weights, and she will find that whilst it is true of some samples that they are under two ounces, others often are above two ounces and many are at two ounces.

Mrs. Mann

Is it not the case that while the Statutory Order was made at a certain date its full implication is just now being realised, and that it did not come into operation until my hon. Friends had gone?

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