§ MR. HOPWOODasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it be the fact, as stated in the local press, that the Watch Committee of Portsmouth have received a letter from the Admiralty suggesting that the working of the Contagious Diseases Acts should be taken up by the Borough Police; and, whether it be true that the Government contributes 2s. 6d. for every woman induced to go to the hospital?
§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEYThe police, as my hon. and learned Friend is aware, no longer exercise any compulsory powers, but voluntary applicants are received into the Lock Hospitals on signing a form attested by an Inspector of Police. It has been suggested to the Mayor of Portsmouth that the duty of attestation should be performed by the Superintendent of Borough Police on payment of a fee of 2s. 6d. This payment is proposed as a remuneration for the extra duty entailed on the Superintendent, and not 273 as an inducement to patients to enter the Lock Hospitals.