HC Deb 04 July 1957 vol 572 cc1280-2
15. Mr. W. Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the serious increase of solicitation in the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I am aware that the number of arrests of women in the Borough of Stepney for soliciting was 449 in 1956 compared with 123 in 1954 and 255 in 1955. These figures reflect a serious increase in prostitution and offences allied to it, which gives ground for concern, though I must add that the rise in the number of arrests may be due to a number of different causes and it should not be inferred that the number of women engaged in these activities has increased in the same proportion.

I have consulted the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who shares my concern, and I am satisfied that the police are, within the limits of their resources, doing all that they can to enforce the law. The responsible citizens of the area can give valuable help to the police in dealing with this problem, and the police will be grateful for any such assistance.

Mr. Edwards

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a serious increase in prostitution in this area, and in what is termed the East End of London, a residential area, and that what is happening is completely different from anything that has ever taken place in that part of Stepney, certainly since I was born there, and indeed long before that? Is this matter simply to be left? Is this traffic to go on increasing and increasing without the Home Department doing anything at all? Up to now it has done nothing to stop the increase, and the people in that area have no alternative, unless the Home Office does something about it, to accepting this increase in prostitution.

Mr. Butler

The police have done their best, as is shown by the increased number of arrests made. I think the police should be supported in what they have done. We should like to get the help of local residents in giving the police more power. The matter under discussion has been referred to the Wolfenden Committee. That shows that the Home Office is not unaware of this very severe problem, in Stepney, as elsewhere.

Mr. Bellenger

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how local residents can help in this matter, unless he means local residents are the cause of the trouble?

Mr. Butler

I only wanted to say that the police would be glad if the people who complain of the activities of prostitutes would give them specific information and be prepared to appear in court to give evidence. Such co-operation by the public has been very useful and made a very considerable difference to the police.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Wolfenden Committee's Report will now be published?

Mr. Butler

I should be awfully sorry to forestall a Question to be put by the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire (Sir R. Boothby). However, as we have already passed it, I would say that I am expecting the Report some time next month.

Mr. Edwards

In view of the apparent complacency of the Home Secretary in this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.