§ 81. Mr. BOOTHasked the Home Secretary if he will state whether any cases of a breach of the laws for the protection of children have been reported to him during the current year in the matter of the escort of young girls to give evidence in the Courts; and whether he is prepared to enforce upon the police the observance of the regulation requiring that an officer of their own sex must accompany girls of tender years?
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not know what law or regulation my hon. Friend refers to; but certainly no case has been brought to my notice in which the police have been guilty of any negligence or failure in the matter. Perhaps my hon. Friend has in mind a circular which was issued by the Home 38 Office to the police a few years ago drawing attention to the desirability of arrangements being made to ensure that at all police stations female prisoners should be attended to by a matron.
§ Mr. BOOTHIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the Act passed by the present Postmaster-General, and the regulations consequent thereon, children of tender years going to Courts to give evidence must, if they are girls, go in the company of a female?
§ Mr. McKENNAI must ask for notice of that question.