§ MR. DARLING (Deptford)(for Mr. ADDISON) (Ashton-under-Lyne) said, he desired to put a Question which appeared on the Paper the previous day. It was to the effect, Whether the attention of the Attorney General has been drawn to the case against a man named Rowden, who has for years pursued and accosted in the streets and elsewhere a lady unable to escape from this annoyance, and to the effect that this man, after repeated convictions, was, on May 15, ordered by the magistrate at Bow Street to find sureties to be of good behaviour for six months, the law providing no other punishment for this offence; and, whether, having regard to other occurrences of a similar nature, 888 Her Majesty's Government are prepared to introduce a Bill for more adequately dealing with such an offence?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)I have seen the Report of the case referred to by the hon. and learned Member. I am not, however, aware that cases of the kind, distressing as they are, are of frequent occurrence. I do not think it is possible for Her Majesty's Government to deal with the question during the present Session; but if the hon. and learned Member would suggest any amendment of the law, I shall be most happy to give the matter my most careful attention.
§ MR. DARLINGasked, whether, it being stated that Rowden was a member of the Bar, the Attorney General, as the leader of the Bar, would bring his conduct to the notice of the Benchers?
§ SIR RICHARD WEBSTERsaid, he had not the least idea that Rowden was a member of the Bar, and if he were it was not for him to take action. Any representations made to him would be carefully considered.