§ MR. A. C. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to an advertisement in The Daily Telegraph headed "Palmistry;" and whether he will take means to put a stop to this form of fortune telling, so as to treat all classes alike?
§ MR. ASQUITHMy attention has been called to this advertisement by my hon. Friend's question. By the Vagrant Act, 1824, every person using any subtle craft, by palmistry or otherwise, to deceive or impose on any of Her Majesty's subjects is to be deemed a rogue and a vagabond, and to be subject on conviction to imprisonment. The mere practice of palmistry is not, so far as I am aware, illegal; the essence of the offence created by the Statute is the intention to impose, and the object is to protect the young and the ignorant. The police have instructions to watch cases of suspicion, and whenever there is good ground for believing that fraud or imposition is being practised they will be directed to prosecute.
§ MR. A. C. MORTONWill the police inquire into this particular case?
§ [The question was not answered.]