§ 73. Mr. Messerasked the Home Secretary how many people have been sent to prison for non-payment of rates during the last 12 months up to the most convenient date?
§ Mr. LloydThe latest available figures are those for 1936. Subject to final check, the number during that year was 1,424, comprising 1,323 men and 101 women. I am glad to say that this shows a substantial reduction as compared with 1935, when the number was 2,108, comprising 1,968 men and 140 women.
§ Mr. MesserCan the Under-Secretary say whether the 1936 Act operates in these cases?
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir. The Money Payments Act has been the cause of the diminution of the figures.
§ Major DowerDoes the Under-Secretary consider that there is a reasonable time allowance before putting the law into operation?