§ 70. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether the recent prosecutions of those who practice occult arts for the mutual benefit of themselves and of the upper classes have been sanctioned by him; and, if not, why this new piece of State interference has been initiated?
§ Mr. McKENNAThere have been only two recent prosecutions by the Metropolitan Police in cases of this class. In the first of these the evidence showed that the persons resorting to the defendant (who did business in Walworth) were of the poorer class—labourers' wives, shop assistants, etc.; and in the second, where the defendant did business in Edgware Road, the persons resorting to her were of the servant-girl class.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODDid the Commissioner of Police bring the matter before the Home Secretary for approval?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. I was not consulted in regard to this particular case, but the action has my entire approval.