§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary how many persons in Great Britain, approximately, have been convicted under the No-Treating and Closing Orders of the Liquor Control Board and, in cases in which police officers in plain clothes are sent into licensed houses to spy for cases of treating and other offences, what sum is usually given to each constable to expend in liquor on himself; and how much, approximately, public money has been spent in this manner since the imposition of these Orders?
Mr. SAMUELI am not in possession of the figures asked for in the first part of the question, and I do not think that a special return would be justified; the number of convictions is no safe criterion of the successful enforcement of the Orders. The second and third paragraphs of the question do not represent police practice, and no such figures as the hon. Member desires can be given.