§ 41. Mr. BOOTHasked if the last yearly Return of police statistics shows that 11,995 persons were discharged after being arrested; whether the 5,829 persons who were tried and acquitted are included in the foregoing figures; and whether the statement that 1,041 houses of bad character were known to the police on 1st April, 1910, means that this is the total of such houses in the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe figures quoted by my hon. Friend refer to the disposal of persons apprehended in 1910, and also dealt with on summonses for indictable offences in England and Wales. The total of 11,995 is made up of 6,166 persons discharged by the magistrates under Section 25 of the Indictable Offences Act, 1848, and 5,829 persons acquitted by the magistrates after summary trial. The figure of 1,041 for houses of bad character relates only to England and Wales.
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir, the police can only give figures showing the number of bad houses known to them. There may be houses of which they do not know.
§ Mr. McKENNAAfter the discussions we have had upstairs my hon. Friend must know that there are no means of proceeding against such houses unless certain conditions are fulfilled.