§ 73. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of officials authorised to carry out inspections and investigation in business premises without a search warrant; and how many such inspections were carried out in 1950.
§ Mr. JayFigures of the number of officials who have power to enter business premises, etc., bringing up to date those given in reply to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 23rd May, 1950, can only be obtained on inquiry from a number of Departments. I will have the amended figures circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as they are available. No record is kept of the number of inspections.
§ 75. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the 5,478 officials who may enter private houses and premises without search warrants are men and women, respectively; and if he will give, in convenient categories, their salaries and the total cost to the taxpayer of their salaries and expenses involved in carrying out their duties.
§ Mr. JayThis information is not available centrally; and I do not consider that the time, labour and public money involved in obtaining it is justifiable, at a time when the need for public economy is paramount.