§ 65. Brigadier Thorpasked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement about the investigation into black market operations in the Northern Region carried out by his Department during October and November, 1948.
§ 76. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Food what methods of inquiry were used in operation Octopus of which he did not approve; and whether he intends to make a statement on the results of his present inquiry regarding operation Octopus.
§ 77. Mr. Greyasked the Minister of Food how wide and extensive were the inquiries into the black market in the North-East; and why no action was taken against those where a prima facie case had been established.
§ Mr. StracheyI propose to make a further statement when the inquiry I have set on foot is completed. Meanwhile there is little I can add to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Berwick-on-Tweed (Brigadier Thorp) on Wednesday, 2nd February. The methods of which I disapproved involved connivance in offences on the part of officers or agents of the Ministry. As I have10W already stated, the evidence obtained by the investigation was not such as to justify proceedings.