§ MR. F. C. FRYE (Kensington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the convictions of one Rasumess Jeirsen, at Nottingham and Birmingham, on Wednesday 27th February, carrying on trade in bond tea as Nelson and Co.; whether he is aware that the same person was convicted in London on 17th December, 1894, and in Manchester 7th January, 1895, but in spite of these convictions is continuing the business in London and Manchester 881 without interference by the police; that in Hull and Portsmouth the police have declined to take proceedings against the same person although repeatedly appealed to; and that in Birmingham the police have withdrawn summonses against certain bond tea traders, who have been carrying on the trade for twelve months on the latter giving an undertaking to discontinue it, although they are still continuing the trade in London and district without interference; and, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe matter is at present engaging the attention of the Public Prosecutor and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.