7. Mrs. WARDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of prosecutions during the past two years under the Auction Bidding Agreement Act, 1927; and whether he is aware of the increasing prevalence of rings in public auctions?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)So far as England and Wales is concerned, the answer to the first part of the question is that no prosecutions under Section 1 of the Act referred to have been taken. As regards the second part of the question, I have no information that rings at public auctions have become increasingly prevalent.
Mrs. WARDIn view of the fact that the corruption at public auctions is becoming very prevalent, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the Act is enforced?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion.