MR. CHANNLNGI beg to ask the MR. Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the facts disclosed in the recent trial of Doctor Collins, and in many previous trials of similar character, and the use made in the St. Neot's case of a notorious advertisement; whether he is aware that an enormous number of advertisements inciting to criminal offences of this nature are regularly being inserted in the metropolitan and provincial Press, and that a vast amount of social mischief and crime is alleged to arise from these advertisements; and whether he will introduce or support effective legislation to prevent the insertion in the Press or other distribution of advertisements of this class, and strengthen the law in dealing with incitements to these offences?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI am fully aware of the character of these advertisements, but legislation on the subject would be a matter of great difficulty, and I am not prepared at present to give any undertaking to introduce it. I will, however, bear the matter in mind.
§ MR. CHANNINGIn consequence of the reply of the right honourable Gentleman I beg to give notice that at the earliest opportunity next Session I will myself introduce a Bill on the subject.