§ Mr. STANTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps he proposes to take by way of punishing the gamblers who are holding up the meat markets in London and elsewhere to increase the prices of meat to the poor people of our country; if he will take steps to commit such offenders to prison without the option of a fine; and will he see that such firms shall be black-listed now and after the War?
Captain BATHURSTThere is no evidence before the Department of any considerable speculation in respect of meat; unless and until such evidence is forthcoming, I cannot say what steps will be taken to deal with the offenders.
§ Mr. STANTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will examine into the storage and disposal of the meat cargo of the steamship 1291W "Thorpe Grange"; the extent to which the sheep, lambs, and beef have been held up while a rise in value was manipulated; and whether he will examine all stores transfers which record the persons participating in the profit of this hold-up and decide what action it is necessary to take?
Mr. ROBERTSMy hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Board of Trade are making inquiry into the matter.