§ E MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947, provides that a census of distribution of trades should be held at suitable intervals and the information obtained in the census shall not be disclosed to anybody except for the purpose of proceedings for an offence under the Act, or for Government Departments for the purpose of carrying out their functions. A 1200 census of distribution is going to be held in 1962, and my right honourable friend thinks that the information would be more readily obtained if it is not disclosed to other Government Departments. He has therefore laid this Order, which was approved in another place on November 16, and which he is entitled to do under Section 9 of the Act, providing that the information obtained in this census shall not be disclosed to other Government Departments except with written permission. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Draft Census of Distribution (1962) (Restriction on Disclosure) Order. 1960, be approved.—(The Earl of Dundee)
§ Question, Motion agreed to.)
§ House adjourned during pleasure, and resumed by the Lord Chancellor.