§ 63. Mr. Charletonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can make any statement as to the results of the inquiries made by detective-officers from New Scotland Yard into allegations of black-marketing in Leeds.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIn consequence of detailed allegations published in the Press to the effect that Leeds was a centre of large-scale black market activities, I made arrangements, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Food and the Minister of Fuel and Power, and with the agreement of the Chief Constable of Leeds, for detective-officers from the Metropolitan Police Force to make a thorough investigation into these allegations on the spot. The careful inquiries which have been made leave my right hon. Friends and myself in no doubt that the allegations were much exaggerated, and in most instances quite unfounded, and that, while Leeds is no more immune than any other large city from black market activities, there is no reason to think that it is, as was suggested, the headquarters of openly practised black market activities.
§ Mr. CharletonMay I thank the Minister for his reply, which I believe will give general satisfaction in Leeds?