The Sheriffs of Londonpresented a Petition from the Lord Mayor, &c. setting forth,
That the Petitioners have long and deeply lamented the extent and prevalence of female prostitution, and its unhappy and pernicious effects on society at large, but more especially among the rising generation; and that they are convinced that the number of brothels and disorderly houses which are to be found in various parts of the metropolis, and the methods which are devised and practised by the proprietors of such houses to evade the existing laws, have greatly contributed to the continuance and increase of this alarming evil; that, notwithstanding the utmost vigilance of the magistracy, their efforts have too frequently proved unavailing for the suppression of houses of this infamous description, by reason of the heavy expenses which attend the prosecution of the parties by indictment, and the ease with which they can occasion delay, by the adoption of legal artifices; also, on account of the great and almost insuperable difficulty of procuring evidence of that nature and degree which the existing laws require to convict the owners or occupiers of such disorderly houses and brothels; that in many instances of conviction and punishment, after much delay and expense, the occupiers are found 433 frequently to transfer the possession to others of the same description, and who continue to practise the same iniquitous conduct; the petitioners therefore humbly submit to the House the necessity which exists of rendering the laws more adequate and efficient to the remedy of this evil, by such means as in the wisdom of the House shall appear expedient.
Mr. Alderman Wood, on moving that the petition be printed, took the opportunity of reminding the House of the great importance of the subject. The present law was, he said, quite insufficient to repress the existing evil. The disgraceful mode in which those unfortunate women were managed during their confinement, kept without labour, and mixed up with paupers, was also a topic that demanded serious attention. It was not his intention to propose any measure on the subject; but perhaps the law officers of the crown would, at some future period, apply themselves to its legislative correction.