5. Viscountess ASTORasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider supplementing the circular issued to justices' clerks, embodying some of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Sexual Offences against Young Persons, by a further circular urging the importance of other recommendations of the Committee, particularly with regard to the hearing of children's evidence on oath, to the clearing of courts, and to the presence of a woman magistrate on the bench when cases of assault are being heard?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)The circular was issued after very careful consideration, and I do not think that the objects which my Noble Friend has at heart would be advanced if I were to attempt to supplement it at the present time.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a good 1224 many people throughout the country, including women, feel that unless something further is done upon the points to which I have drawn attention, they may slip over?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy Noble Friend must not think that my attention wanders. I have issued this preliminary circular, which is a very important one, as a first instalment, so as to get certain very important points before the Justices. The question is being considered, and I shall not overlook it.