§ 12. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Home Secretary whether, having in mind the interests both of the general public and of the auctioneering profession, he will take steps to ensure that auctioneers' licences are only granted after some inquiry as to the professional standing of the proposed licensee; whether, in view of the repeated complaints against frauds committed by the class known as mock auctioneers, he will take steps to see that licences are inspected at more frequent intervals than has hitherto been the case; and whether he will also consider the desirability of giving to the police powers of inspection of licences?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe proposals contained in the first and last parts of the question would require legislation. I am afraid I can hold out no hope of this at present. As regards the second part of the question, the Board of Customs and Excise are fully alive to the necessity of preventing evasion of auctioneers' licence duty.