HC Deb 12 July 1904 vol 137 c1357
MR. JOHN CAMPBELL (Armagh, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the number of prosecutions and convictions for palmistry and other species of fortune-telling from 1st March, 1901, till 30th June, 1904, in London and Birmingham, respectively.

* THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine's

During the period in question there were in the Metropolitan Police District sixteen prosecutions of the nature indicated by the hon. Member and thirteen convictions. In Birmingham there were fourteen prosecutions and five convictions, with two cases still pending.

MR. JOHN CAMPBELL

What class of people were prosecuted. Were they sixpenny, or two or three guinea fee-takers?

* MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I will see if I can get the information for the hon. Member.