§ 73. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the prosecution, before Mr. Curtis Bennett, of six persons for wandering or sleeping on the Embankment at night; whether he has given any instructions that such people are to be arrested and punished if they will not go to the casual wards or such places as Medland Hall; and, if so, on what grounds he has instituted this latest attack on the liberty of the destitute?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)These prosecutions were instituted under Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act, 1824, which it is the duty of the police to enforce in suitable cases, and there were 534 such prosecutions in 1910. No instructions from me are necessary or were given for this purpose, and I have no reason to suppose that in the cases mentioned by my hon. Friend the police enforced the law in a harsh or unreasonable manner.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs it not a new departure to arrest and imprison people for sleeping out on the Embankment, if they will not go to charitable wards?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. I have stated the effect of the law.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs it not the fact that although the law was passed in 1824, it has not before been enforced?
§ Mr. McKENNAI stated there were 524 prosecutions in 1910.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODNot for sleeping on the Embankment.
§ Sir W. P. BYLESWhere are these people to sleep?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is not for my Department to answer that question.