HC Deb 01 July 1941 vol 372 cc1193-4
25. Mr. Evelyn Walkden

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to put an end to the practice of the canvassing of householders to buy proprietary articles and chemical mixtures purporting to extinguish incendiary bombs which have not been approved by the Home Department; and whether he will forbid such canvassing and confiscate the advertising literature?

Miss Wilkinson

My right hon. Friend is examining the possibility of obtaining powers to prohibit the sale or advertisement of harmful preparations purporting to extinguish incendiary bombs.

Mr. Walkden

Is it not possible to take more drastic steps by prosecuting people who persist in ignoring the warnings of the Minister, and to collaborate with the Postmaster-General in order to prohibit the literature passing through the post?

Miss Wilkinson

My right hon. Friend has no power to take such action but is examining the possibility of asking for that power.

Mr. Woods

Will the Minister get into touch with the Minister of Labour to review the whole matter of canvassing in relation to man-power, and to see whether there is a waste of man-power because of canvassing which is harmful and dangerous to the public interests?

Miss Wilkinson

That is a rather wider question.