§ 22. Mr. LEES-SMITHasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many resolutions he has now received demanding the withdrawal of Regulation 40 D of the Defence of the Realm Act?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir G. CAVE)About 600 such resolutions have been received at the Home Office.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHWhat steps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take in response to this extraordinarily large number of resolutions?
§ Sir G. CAVEThat does not arise out of the question on the Paper.
§ 46. Mr. W. ANDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Regulation 40 D of the Defence of the Realm Act has been condemned by the most representative conferences of women; whether his attention has been called to medical opinion; that the Regulation has been discredited as a public health measure, and that the presence of infection cannot be proved or disproved by examination; whether he is aware of the number of women against whom no charge could be established, who have nevertheless been arrested, imprisoned, and remanded for examination under this Regulation; and whether the Government is now prepared to take steps to annul this Regulation?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe question, which is one of extreme difficulty, is being considered by a strong Committee upon which both sexes are represented, and the Government must await the result of their deliberations before taking action.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELCan my right hon. Friend say when this Report will appear?
§ Sir G. CAVEI should think certainly next month; I hope so.
§ Mr. KINGIn view of the large number of people who will have their votes to decide this question, is it not to the interest of the Government to take the inevitable step as soon as possible so as to get as many votes as possible?
§ Sir G. CAVEIt is more in the interests of our soldiers than of the Government.
§ Sir RYLAND ADKINSWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to expedite the Report of the Committee?
§ Sir G. CAVEI do not think there will be any delay.