§ Mr. Oramasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of clubs newly registered, and the number struck off the register, in England and Wales and in the London Metropolitan Police area, respectively, for the last available annual period and for the comparable annual periods since the abrogation of Defence Order 55C.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerDefence Regulation 55C lapsed on 10th December, 1952. The following figures are for the years ended 30th June since that date:
— New clubs registered Clubs closed England and Wales: 1953 869 424 1954 936 522 1955 990 593 1956 918 644 Metropolitan Police District and City of London: 1953 219 140 1954 221 140 1955 222 123 1956 201 169 The number of clubs closed which were struck off the register by order of a court is not available.