§ 24. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for the Home De- 1157 partment whether there has been an appreciable increase recently in the use of dummy weapons for purposes of intimidation in cases of burglary and housebreaking?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)I regret that figures are not available which would enable me to express a definite opinion on this matter.
§ Sir A. POWNALLHas the right hon. Gentleman received complaints from His Majesty's justices as to the increase in crimes of this nature in recent months?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI should require notice of that question; but I may say that I am having observation kept upon this problem.