§ MR. CAINE (Cornwall, Camborne)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that at 52, King William Street, 24, Ludgate-Hill, and 12, Holy well Street, as well as in other thoroughfares of the Metropolis, there are exhibitions of obscene muto-scopic pictures; that the first of a series of pictures is exhibited free, a penny in a slot releasing others; that during; the day crowds of boys pass through these exhibitions and form their principal patrons; and will he instruct the police to prosecute the owners of these shows and of the shops in which they are conducted.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)This is a matter which is constantly under the attention of the-police, but the hon. Member must remember that there are many pictures which may be suggestive and objectionable, but which are not so indecent or- 757 obscene as to afford grounds for a successful prosecution, and as the result of inquiries I understand that the exhibitions referred to are of this nature.