§ Major PRESCOTTasked the Food Controller why the Ministry of Food have instructed local food control committees to take proceedings against tradesmen for selling marmalade to unregistered customers in view of the fact that there are large available stocks of this commodity in hand; whether, as a reduction in price is premeditated, he is aware that a large loss is likely to be caused to tradesmen owing to this action; and whether fines have been inflicted for offences committed prior to 26th February, on which date the Rationing Order, 1918, appeared in the "National Food Journal," that being the first intimation available to tradesmen that such an Order existed?
§ Mr. McCURDYNo special instructions have been issued by the Ministry to food control committees for the prosecution of tradesmen for selling marmalade to unregistered customers. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise; although I may say that a reduction in the maximum price is not contemplated at the present moment. As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that fines were inflicted in a few cases for offences committed prior to 26th February, but the Order on the subject came into force on 29th January, when a Press notice explaining the Order was issued in the ordinary way.