§ 16. Mr. BOOTHasked if the case of Albert J., of St. George's-in-the-East, has been taken up by the officers under the Children Act; whether his mother was convicted of keeping a brothel on 2nd August, 1907; at what time the police first received a report about the house in question; and why the Children Act officers were able to rescue the boy at a recent date while the police remained inactive?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHUnder Section 58 (8) of the Children Act, the police and the education authority have concurrent powers. The case referred to was reported to the police by an industrial schools officer, and joint action was taken on 2nd October last. The police first received information about the house in question in June, 1909. The mother had been convicted of keeping a brothel elsewhere in August, 1907, but since that date she had not come under the notice of the police until October last, when action was at once taken.
§ 17. Mr. BOOTHasked whether a suitable place has been found for Annie E., fifteen years old, who left a respectable home four times, and was taken from immoral surroundings by the officers of the Children Act; and whether any action has been taken dealing with the senders of the letters and postcards found in her possession?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe father of the girl referred to in my hon. Friend's question states explicitly that his daughter has never been in immoral surroundings and that he read the letters referred to and satisfied himself that there was nothing in them improper in tone. I would point 192 out to my hon. Friend that the use of the christian name and initial letter of the surname in these cases, which has enabled me to identify the young persons referred to, also enables other persons to do so, and this may have a prejudicial effect on their future.
§ Mr. BOOTHIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I have taken this from a printed document, and that I purposely avoided placing the address upon the Paper, although the Home Office requested me to give more particulars in the question?
§ 18. Mr. BOOTHasked if any arrangements exist whereby the education authorities immediately inform the police when a charge is brought against any teacher of a grave offence with the scholars under his influence; whether the case of M., of W. school, Kensington, was reported to the police; if so, by whom and when; and whether the whereabouts of the person complained against are known?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe education authorities, in common with other public authorities and private persons, will naturally inform the police when they become aware that a criminal offence has, been committed. I am informed by the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police that the case referred to in the question was thus reported. The whereabouts of the person implicated are not known to the police.
§ 20. Mr. BOOTHasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the case of C.B., of York Road, N., a boy under fifteen years of age, who is charged with an unmentionable offence; whether reports have reached the police as to the alleged tampering with the evidence of the other three boys; and what is the present stage in the proceedings?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThis boy was committed for trial at the Central Criminal Court, but as the evidence of the first—a material—witness differed substantially from the statement previously made by him, the judge directed the jury to find a formal verdict of "Not Guilty." The police have no knowledge that the evidence was tampered with, and they have received no reports to that effect.
§ 21. Mr. BOOTHasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that W. A. G., of Marylebone, was charged at Marlborough Street with importuning in Hyde Park with his face painted; that this boy of 193 fourteen has had two situations since leaving school; will he say whether he is now in Brixton prison; what action the police have taken against the men concerned in degrading this child; and where is he now?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHI am aware of the case referred to. The youth refuses to give any account of himself, and the police do not know the persons responsible for his corruption. He is now in safe keeping in a Reformatory school.
§ 22. Mr. BOOTHasked if a girl, C. A., of Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, has been dealt with by the officers under the Children Act; whether her father, a widower, has been living on this child's immorality since she was fourteen; whether the police have had any information; and, if so, why they did not take early action?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe initiative in this case was taken by the police, who on receipt of certain information arrested the father forthwith, and took him before the Court. A remand was asked for in order that legal aid might be obtained, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children then undertook the conduct of the case.
§ 23. Mr. BOOTHasked the Home Secretary whether the police have reported the case of B. D., of Tabard Street, charged with wandering, and the fact that twelve persons, including the father and mother and a daughter of the same, sister of the above, regularly sleep in one room; and will he say what action he proposes to take in this case?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe City Police found the boy referred to wandering in the City. He was brought before the Juvenile Court and handed over to his mother. The sanitary inspector visited the premises in question, and found that nine persons, including the parents, were occupying two rooms, and he thereupon took action under the Public Health Act.
§ Mr. BOOTHHas the hon. Gentleman investigated the definite report given by the officers under the Children Act of the London Education Authority?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHNo; but if the hon. Gentleman draws our attention to any particular matter we will look into it.
§ 24. Mr. BOOTHasked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the case of G. H., of Osnaburgh Street; whether the rent was reported to be £150 per annum; whether a man B. was fined £10 for keeping a disorderly house; whether the boy Ernest, aged eleven years, is now in a suitable institution; and whether he proposes to make any recommendation to the magistrates as to the treatment in such cases?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHI am aware of the ease referred to. The whole of the facts were before the magistrate, who dealt with the keeper of the house and handed over the boy to the care of his aunt. I see no reason for interfering with magistrates' discretion in such cases. I understand that the rent of the house was £80 a year.
§ Mr. BOOTHIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the other authorities, in contradistinction to the police, say that the rent is £150? May I further ask him whether some recommendation has not been given from the Home Office that deals with such cases as this; whether the person is a foreigner, and could have been deported under the Aliens Act; and why was that treatment not suggested?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHI think the hon. Member had better give notice of his question.