Control of Prices Act, 1937

Investigation of complaints by inspectors.

38.—(1) Whenever a complaint is referred to an inspector under the immediately preceding section, such inspector shall investigate such complaint and when he has completed his investigation shall report the result thereof to the Controller.

(2) For the purposes of an investigation into a complaint an inspector may on production of his authority to act as an inspector require—

(a) the person who made the complaint the subject of such investigation to furnish him with such information relevant to the complaint as he may reasonably require and as is either in the possession of such person or in the power, without incurring unreasonable expense, of such person to obtain;

(b) the seller mentioned in such complaint to furnish him with such information relevant to the complaint as be may reasonably require and as is either in the possession of such seller or in the power, without incurring unreasonable expense, of such seller to obtain;

(c) any other person, who carries on a business by way of trade or for the purposes of gain and who sells in the, course of or as part of such business the kind of commodity to which such complaint relates, to furnish him with such information as he may reasonably require in relation to the price which such person pays for such kind of commodity and the price at which such person sells such kind of commodity.

(3) If any person refuses or neglects to furnish an inspector with any information lawfully required by him under this section, such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.