§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much money has been confiscated by the Metropolitan police following collections in aid of the miners' solidarity fund; and what is to happen to this money;
(2) why Metropolitan police officers are confiscating moneys collected in London for the miners' solidarity fund.
§ Mr. HurdIt is an offence to carry out street or house to house collections without authorisation under the Police, Factories etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 or the House to House Collections Act 1939. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that, according to the information available to him, £47.21½ has been taken into the possession of the police in the circumstances described. It was thought that the money might be required for evidential purposes in the event of a prosecution; but it is now being returned.