§ 87 and 88. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what conclusions have been reached from his investigation into the activities of mock auction operators; and whether he will now introduce legislation to give reasonable protection to the public;
(2) if he has considered certain further information supplied to him by the hon. Member for Dartford, as to undesirable practices at mock auctions; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this matter.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have considered all the information supplied to me by the hon. Member and have received full reports from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Commissioner of Police for the City of London. A watch is kept on these auctions by the police, but so far there has been no evidence which would justify criminal proceedings. I regret that I cannot hold out any hope that the Government will be able to find time for amending legislation.