§ Mr. ACLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the sum total of fines imposed in the cases of convictions obtained in respect of cases of alleged profiteering brought before the local committees set up under the Profiteering Act;
(2) whether imprisonment has been imposed in the case of any conviction obtained in respect of any alleged profiteering brought before the local committees set up under the Profiteering Act; and, if so, in how many cases imprisonment has been so imposed?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEDown to 31st August last fines amounting in the aggregate to £1,779 had been imposed in prosecutions under the Profiteering Acts instituted at the instance of local committees, in addition to which orders for the payment of costs amounting in the aggregate to £436 had been made. In no case have the justices imposed a sentence of imprisonment on conviction for offences against the Profiteering Acts.
§ Mr. GLANVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases of alleged profiteering brought before the Central Committee set up under the Profiteering Act prosecutions have actually been undertaken; how many convictions have been obtained; and what has been the penalty imposed in each case?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMESix prosecutions have actually been undertaken by the Central Committee under the Profiteering Acts. In four cases convictions have been obtained, the penalties1376W imposed being a fine of £25 and 5 guineas costs, a fine of £20 and 15 guineas costs, a fine of £5 and 5 guineas costs, and a fine of £25 and 5 guineas costs. One case has been part heard and the hearing adjourned, and in the remaining case the information has been laid and the hearing fixed for 3rd November.
Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade how many eases of alleged profiteering have been brought before local committees set up under the Profiteering Act to date; and how many convictions have been obtained?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEOn the 31st August last, local committees, established under the Profiteering Acts, had heard and determined 4,373 complaints of alleged profiteering. In 1,032 cases the local committee found that an unreasonable profit had been sought or obtained. Out of 174 prosecutions instituted during the same period by local committees before Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, convictions have been obtained in 138 cases.
Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the maximum fine imposed in the case of any conviction obtained in respect of alleged cases of profiteering brought before the local committees set up under the Profiteering Act?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe maximum fine imposed by the Justices on conviction for offences against the Profiteering Acts is one hundred pounds.