asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a further statement in the case of Harry Joseph Stevelman.

This young man has now registered for National Service, and has already been medically examined.

Is the Minister aware that there are reasons to believe that this is not an isolated case, and that this man is one of a growing class of people; and, further, will he consider with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Food and his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary what steps can be taken to get rid of these petty crooks and leave street trading to decent honest traders.

On the information that we have about this young man, I do not think it is reasonable to put him in the class of petty crooks. After all, street sellers might be unnecessary, but that is no reason for calling them "petty crooks." So far as the question of making use of any manpower of that kind is concerned, when we have the powers for which the House has been asked, we shall take steps to see whether they can be used in that direction.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is true that this man has been fined £1,000 during the last 12 months, and if he does not consider that to be evidence of petty crockery, will he say what is?

If the question of petty crookery is based on the amount of money that people can make by the exercise of their wits, then there are lots of people who ought to be brought into that category. My opinion is that these people will be called up irrespective of whether they are petty crooks or large crooks.

Major Lloyd:

Is the right hon. Gentleman suggesting that until this Bill which we are discussing becomes an Act of Parliament, he has no power to deal with these people?

Yes, Sir.