§ 22. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on 21st February, 1956, an injunction against the use of No. 12, Chesterfield Terrace, W., as a house for immoral purposes was upheld in the Court of Appeal; and what action has since been taken against Eugene Messina and his brother as proprietors.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe facts on which this injunction was granted did not disclose grounds for police proceedings. Two women were concerned in these civil proceedings and there was nothing to connect them with the Messina brothers. So far as the police are aware, the premises are not now being used for immoral purposes.
§ Mr. Stokes"Now" may be simply today. Does the Home Secretary not consider that the action taken by these two private citizens was in the best public interest and most public-spirited? Secondly, if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman says that the house is not now being used for immoral purposes, can he say whether it does or does not still belong to the Messina brothers? I can give him evidence that it does.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI cannot say one way or the other about that; it may well be so. I agree with what the right hon. Gentleman said about the people who took the action, but he will appreciate that it was a civil action and that the police were not concerned.