HC Deb 14 November 1944 vol 404 cc1797-8
68. Sir L. Lyle

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Departments appoint inspectors who have the right of interrogating the public as to aspects of departmental work or individual methods of life and trading; and whether he will give detailed information in each case as to the authority exercised.

Mr. Peake

Many Departments are empowered to require information to be furnished on various aspects of their work, though, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, the majority of such powers are of an emergency character governed by the terms, and the duration, of Defence Regulations. Without further knowledge of what my hon. Friend has in mind by the phrase "methods of life and trading" I regret that I am unable to answer the latter part of his Question.

Sir L. Lyle

Cannot my right hon. Friend answer the first part of the Question?

Mr. Peake

It is a matter of some difficulty without a clear knowledge of what my hon. Friend means by "interrogation." If he will refer to Defence Regulation 80A, he will find the names of a number of Departments set out.