§ 39. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new licences enabling persons to operate as pawnbrokers have been granted since October, 1951.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)Under Section 15 of the Finance Act, 1949, the power to levy duties and issue licences under the Pawnbrokers Act, 1872, was transferred to county and county borough councils and town councils in Scotland. I regret, therefore, that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available without undue administrative expense.