§ MR. S. SMITH (Flintshire)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a letter addressed by Mr. Henry Varley to Members of Parliament, complaining of alleged breaches of morality at the Pavilion Music Hall; and, whether he is prepared to see that the Law is enforced for the protection of public morals?
§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, I would ask him whether this Henry Varley is the same person who issued a pamphlet to all the Members of this House containing most foul and scandalous insinuations against myself?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am happy to say that my mind has not been prejudiced by those insinuations, as I have not seen the pamphlet. I therefore cannot answer the hon. Gentleman's Question. With regard to the Question on the Paper, I have seen a copy of the pamphlet by Mr. Varley, to which I suppose the hon. Member alludes. The music-hall in question is regularly visited by the police, who report to me that the place is well conducted, and that nothing 481 obscene or indecent has been witnessed by the police, either in the entertainment or among the audience. If any breach of the law is reported to me, I shall certainly see that the law is enforced. I may add that Mr. Varley, who had given notice to oppose the renewal of the licence of the Pavilion Music Hall, did not attend before the Licensing Justices to sustain his objections, and the licence was renewed.