§ Sir H. Williamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the prices realised at the auction of wines and spirits conducted by W. and T. Restell on the 25th, 26th and 27th February, 1942; and to the fact that some of these wines were being disposed of on the instruction of a Government Department, namely, the Admiralty Marshal, and that some of the prices realised range from four to eight times the pre-war price; and whether he will take steps to impose maximum prices on wines and spirits sold by auction, and consult with the Attorney-General with a view to restraining the Admiralty Marshal from assisting in building up a black market?
Major Lloyd GeorgeMy Noble Friend is at present considering the whole question of the sale and distribution of wines and spirits including their sale by auction, but I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject at present. As regards the second part of the Question I would remind my hon. Friend that the Admiralty Marshal is not responsible to any Government Department but is an executive officer of the court. I am informed, however, that it is his intention to arrange for the sale by private treaty of any wines and spirits which may in future be seized as prize.