52. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the many burglaries and thefts of jewellery, plate, etc., and other articles of value, including motor cars, in order to make the commission of these offences and the disposal of the goods less easy and the offenders more easily traced, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation requiring a form of certificate of origin showing names of previous owner or owners, and subject to a revenue stamp of so many shillings in the pound, to be filled in, verified by the signature of a police officer to be appointed, or of some responsible person, and presented upon the sale of all such articles secondhand?
§ Mr. SHORTTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I believe the Commissioner of Police has made suggestions to the Ministry of Transport as to the registration of motor cars which he thinks might make the disposal of stolen cars more difficult than it is at present. With regard to plate and jewellery, it does not appear that any system of registration would be practicable or effective for this purpose.