MAINTENANCE OF SUPPLIES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES [ S.L.117.10 1 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 117.10 MAINTENANCE OF SUPPLIES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES REGULATIONS 21st February, 1957 GOVERNMENT NOTICE 133 of 1957, as amended by Government Notices 149 and 298 of 1958; and Legal Notices 7 of 1959, 40 of 1960, 15 of 1964, 19 of 1965, 22 and 24 of 1977, and 409 of 2007. 1. The title of these regulations is the Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Regulations. Title. 2. In these regulations the expression ''essential commodity'' shall have the same meaning as that assigned to the expression ''essential goods'' by article 2 of the Supplies and Services Act and shall also include the commodities specified in the Schedule hereto, and in the Schedule to the Rationing Regulations; and ''Minister'' means the Minister responsible for Trade. Interpretation. Amended by: G.N. 149 of 1958; G.N. 298 of 1958; L.N. 15 of 1964; L.N. 19 of 1965. Cap. 117. S.L. 117.08 3. Any person who enters into any combination with any other person with intent, otherwise than in conformity with an order issued by a competent authority - Offences. (
- a)to raise the price; or (
- b)to prevent the sale; or (
- c)to impose any unauthorised conditions, on the sale, of any essential commodity shall, independently of whether or not such person succeeds in the intent, be guilty of an offence against these Regulations. 4. If any person, who habitually trades or deals in any essential commodity or is habitually concerned in the supply or distribution thereof, either alone or in combination with other persons, performs any act or omits to perform any act knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such act or omission is likely to deprive the community of the supply or the regular supply of any essential commodity, shall be guilty of an offence against these Regulations. Deprivation of essential commodities to the community. 5. Without prejudice to the power to give directions under regulation 7 of these Regulations and under regulation 41 of the Rationing Regulations, the Minister may, by an order published in the Gazette require any person who habitually trades or deals in any essential commodity or is habitually concerned in the supply or distribution thereof, or who has in his possession or under his control any quantity of an essential commodity, to make returns of the disposal, stocks and balances of any such commodity to the Minister, at such times and in such form as may be prescribed in the order. Returns. Substituted by: G.N. 149 of 1950. Amended by: G.N. 298 of 1958; L.N. 19 of 1965. S.L. 117.08. 2 [ S.L.117.10 MAINTENANCE OF SUPPLIES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES Authorisation for inspection. Amended by: G.N. 298 of 1958; L.N. 19 of 1965. 6. The Minister may authorise in writing any person or persons to inspect, at any reasonable time, the books, documents, stocks and premises of any person dealing or trading in essential commodities. Any person who hinders or obstructs any duly authorised person or persons in the performance of his or their duties under this regulation shall be guilty of an offence. Breach of Regulations. Amended by: G.N. 298 of 1958; L.N. 19 of 1965. 7. The Minister may give such directions to any person making use of, or having under his control or usually trading in or importing essential commodities, as he considers necessary for the maintenance and control, production, distribution, use or consumption of essential commodities. Failure to comply with any such directions shall constitute a breach of these Regulations. Submission of incorrect return. 8. Any person who contravenes the provisions of regulations 5, 6 and 7 or who knowingly submits an incorrect return for the purpose of regulation 5, shall be guilty of an offence against these Regulations. Exemption. G.N. 298 of 1958; L.N. 19 of 1965. 9. The Minister may, in his direction, exempt one or more traders, or one of more classes of traders generally or in respect of one or more essential commodities specified by him, from the obligations imposed on them by regulation 4. Offences and penalties. Amended by: L.N. 22 of 1977; L.N. 409 of 2007. 10. Any person guilty of an offence against these Regulations shall on conviction by the Court of Magistrates (Malta) or the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) sitting as a Court of Criminal Judicature, be liable to a fine (multa) of not less than two hundred and thirty-two euros and ninety-four cents (232.94) but not exceeding one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euros and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69), or to imprisonment for a period of not less than one month but not exceeding three months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment. Court may order cancellation or suspension of any licence. 11. Without prejudice to the penalties prescribed in regulation 10, the said Court, may, on the application of the prosecution, order the cancellation or the suspension of any licence issued to any person convicted under these regulations for the exercise of any trade or business connected with the sale of the essential commodity to which the offence relates. Amended by: G.N. 149 of 1958; L.N. 7 of 1959; L.N. 40 of 1960; L.N. 24 of 1977. SCHEDULE Bread Butter Cheese Coffee Edible oil (except oil in small containers) Eggs in shell Lard and lard substitute Laundry soap Margarine MAINTENANCE OF SUPPLIES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES Matches Meat, including canned meat Milk, unsweetened tinned (except powdered milk) Mill offals Rice Tea Tomato paste Kerosene Benzine Gas oil Fuel oil Coal Salt, coarse Yeast. [ S.L.117.10 3