§ Squadron-Leader Hulbertasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how many prosecutions have been instituted by his Department for alleged offences of charging excessive prices; how many convictions were obtained, and what penalties were imposed; and whether he considers the present penalties are adequate to check future offences?
Major Lloyd Georgepursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 8th October, 1941; col. 998, Vol. 374] supplied the following statement:
From the beginning of Food Control up to the end of August, 1941, 8,486 prosecutions have been instituted by my Department for charging excessive prices of which 7,751 cases were successful.
1524WThe penalties imposed by the Courts were as follow:
Fines. Number of Cases. Under £1 and dismissals under the Probation of Offenders Act … 2,513 £1 and under £3 … 2,880 £3 and under £5 … 692 £5 and under £10 … 1,004 £10 and under £20 … 436 £20 and over … 217
Imprisonment. Varying terms … … 9 Under the provisions of the Defence Regulations the following are the penalties which may be imposed by the Courts:
- (a) On summary conviction, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or both imprisonment and fine;
- (b) On conviction or indictment, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding five hundred pounds or both imprisonment and fine.