§ MR. FRYE (Kensington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a system of trading known as "Bond Tea" is being largely carried on in the Metropolis, a similar system having been described by the Hanley Stipendiary Magistrate as a system of obtaining money under false pretences, and a swindle from beginning to end; whether he is aware that the Chief Commissioner of Police in the Metropolis has been repeatedly appealed to, to proceed against such traders in London; whether he is aware that the Metropolitan Grocers and Provision Dealers' Association secured a conviction against one of the "Bond Tea" traders at the North London Police Court in December last, and that in spite of this the trade is being continued in the Metropolis without action being taken by the police; also that in Newcastle, Sheerness, Leicester, Hanley, and Preston, the police authorities have taken action against such trading; and, whether he will instruct that steps be 558 immediately taken in the Metropolis to stop this system of trading?
§ MR. ASQUITHI am aware that attempts have been made by different firms to promote the sale of their tea by a system which has been held to constitute an illegal lottery. I am not aware of any cases within the Metropolitan Police District in which the police have failed to take action when they could have done so; but I will make further inquiry with a view of insuring the enforcement of the law.