HC Deb 05 June 1907 vol 175 cc659-60
MR. BRODIE

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the annoyance caused to the public in the county of Surrey by vagrants and, if not, whether he will ask for information from the local authorities in the county so that he may convince himself of the desirability, or not, of introducing legislation at an early date on the lines of the Report of the Departmental Commission on Vagrancy.

MR. ARNOLD HERBERT (Buckinghamshire, Wycombe)

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the annoy-

Strength of the Royal Artillory on the 1st May, 1907.
Officers. Warrant officers. Non-commissioned officers and men. Total.
Royal Horse Artillery 174 9 5,020 5,203
Royal Field Artillery 908 49 24,254 25,211
Total: Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery 1,082 58 29,274 30,414
Royal Garrison Artillery 894 83 18,588 19,565
Royal Artillery Clerks — 22 230 252
Grand Total: Royal Artillery 1,976 163 48,092 50,231

ance caused to the public in South Bucks by vagrants; and, if not, whether he will ask for information from the local authorities, particularly of Slough and Wycombe, so that he may convince himself of the desirability of introducing legislation at an early date on the lines of the Report of the Departmental Commission on Vagrancy.

(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I will answer these two Questions together. I am aware that annoyance is caused by vagrants in various parts of the country, and I do not think it necessary to obtain further information on the subject from the local authorities of the particular counties referred to. As I have stated on previous occasions, I am in communication with my right hon. friend the Home Secretary with regard to the Report of the Committee, but I do not think it will be practicable to propose legislation with repect to the matter this year.