§ Mr. Thorneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the hoarding of food by the members of the Wealdstone Club and the 60 summonses heard at the Wealdstone Police Court, on 10th February; what were the various kinds of food found in a large refrigerator; and what action was taken about this matter?
Major Lloyd GeorgeNo evidence was secured, in the case referred to, of hoarding by members of the Wealdstone Club. The following persons and firms were, however, prosecuted at the instance of the Ministry of Food and were convicted and sentenced as detailed below:
- (1) Clarke, the manager of the club, for buying margarine, preserves, sugar, bacon, butter and meat in excess of the prescribed amounts and for obtaining cheese, cooking fats and lard without permit and for buying jam and sardines in excess of the maximum price, and for allowing 42 lbs. of flour to deteriorate and be wasted—six sentences of one month's imprisonment to run consecutively.
- (2) Messrs. William Brothers, Direct Supply Stores, Limited, for supplying the foods mentioned above, other than meat, and for selling jam and sardines in excess of the maximum price—fined £70 on each of 13 summonses and ordered to pay £52 costs.
1923 - (3). The manager of the above firm convicted of the same offences—fined £13.
- (4). Messrs. Rance and Goldhawk, butchers, for supplying meat in excess of the prescribed amounts—fined go with 4 guineas costs.
- (5). The manager of Messrs. Rance and Goldhawk for the same offence—fined £5 with 2 guineas costs.
- (6). Cashier of the above firm for aiding and abetting—fined £3.
Margarine, bacon, cooking fat and cheese were found in the refrigerator and all quantities of these foods which were in excess of one week's supply, have been requisitioned and properly disposed of.