§ Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Food the number of charges for black market offences during 1947; and the number of convictions, classified in the different penalties.
§ Mr. StracheyBriefly the number of charges on which persons were prosecuted for food offences during the year ended 31st December, 1947, was 25,530. Convictions were obtained in 24,265 of these charges. Following are the details:
§ Mr. StracheyThe price of bacon has been increased in order to keep subsidies within the ceiling of £392 million announced by the Chancellor in his Financial Statement. The increased cost 279W to the consumer on the basis of consumption in the calendar year 1947 would be £9.9 million, and on the same basis about ¾d. a week to each ration book holder.