§ MR. SNAPE (Lancashire, S.E., Heywood)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, if there is any doubt that the offence with which the manager in the Trocadero case was an indictable offence, the Government will propose the necessary amendment to the law to ensure the certainty of indictments in such cases, and the punishment of such offences by imprisonment without the option of a fine?
§ MR. ASQUITHI understand that this person was indicted for and convicted of the offence of keeping a disorderly house, which is a misdemeanour. It is not, in my opinion, necessary to propose any amendment to the law, nor am I prepared to say (without any reference to this particular case) that there may not be cases in which the offence is sufficiently punished by a fine.
§ MR. SNAPEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fine which was inflicted is computed to be not more than 1176 the profits of one night's keeping of this house, and that the prosecution cost the police alone between £100 and £200?
§ MR. CAINE (Bradford, Central)Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that this particular person, found guilty of this misdemeanour, has been known to the police of Liverpool for over 30 years as a keeper of houses of this character?
§ MR. ASQUITHI have seen a statement to the effect mentioned by my hon. Friend (Mr. Snape), but as to my hon. Friend's (Mr. Caine's) question I know nothing. I must point out that the man was not only tried, but ordered to enter into recognisances for his good behaviour, in the sum, I think, of £200. But I really cannot undertake any further discussion on this case, because, as I have already stated to the House, I have no power to interfere with a sentence on the ground that it is inadequate. I have no power to increase it.