asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many smash-and-grab raids, both inside and outside buildings, have taken place in 1954, 1955, and the first six months of 1956; and how much money has been unrecovered as a result.

If the hon. Member is thinking of cases where someone openly drives up to a shop, breaks the window, steals and drives away, there were three such cases known to the Metropolitan police in 1954, one in 1955 and two in the first six months of 1956. The property stolen was valued at £4,000. All but £5 worth is as yet unrecovered. No corresponding figures are available for other forces.

If the hon. Member is thinking of all cases of shopbreaking by smashing the front window, there were 1,094 such cases known to the Metropolitan police in 1954, 1,025 in 1955 and 708 in the first six months of 1956. No information is available about the total value of the property stolen and unrecovered, without considerable research.