§ Major NEWMANasked the Home Secretary whether he has received or is aware of a Report recently made by the Middle-sex Agricultural Executive Committee that derelict land which the committee had brought into cultivation and on which wheat was growing was being used as a camping ground by gypsies who were turning out their horses to graze on the growing wheat; whether he will allow the local authorities to make a special by-law to deal with the matter, or will the Home Office take active and immediate steps itself to prevent further damage by these nomad caravans?
§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Home Secretary why bands of gypsies are permitted to exorcise privileges over and above any other of His Majesty's subjects of putting their caravans and turning their horses upon the growing wheat planted by the efforts of county war agricultural committees at the cost of considerable labour and expense in the vain hope that it might be allowed to produce food for the people; what efforts, if any, have been made by the Department to prevent this wilful damage and to control the movements of these persons; and whether any instructions have been issued to the Metropolitan Police or to the provincial police authorities?
§ Sir G. CAVENo complaints of such acts of damage have been received by the Home Office or the Commissioner of Police. The acts specified in the questions would appear to be punishable either under Regulation 2 N of the Defence of the Realm Regulations or under Section 24 of the Malicious Injuries to Property Act, 1861, and any persons who may suffer from such acts should report the matter to the police. No special instructions from the Home Office are necessary. With regard998W to Middlesex, I may point out that Section 34 of the Middlesex County Council General Powers Act, 1906, gives special powers of dealing with gypsies.