§ 8. Colonel DAYasked the Home Secretary whether any application from municipal authorities have been made to him for his consent to by-laws prohibiting the undressing of bathers on the beach be- 2020 tween specified hours; if so, will he give the names of such authorities; and, in view of the many complaints of this nuisance received by seaside authorities, will he consider the introduction of legislation prohibiting undressing on, beaches for bathing purposes?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo recent applications have been made to me, but I understand certain local authorities, including, for example, Margate, Folkestone and Southwold, have by-laws on this subject. I have no knowledge of complaints being received by seaside authorities, and in so far as this practice may cause a nuisance I have no reason to think it cannot be dealt with under the existing law.
§ Colonel DAYIs the Home Secretary aware that in many cases large groups of people undress on the beach without any covering at all?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am quite sure that in any case of that kind the hon. Member who has put this question would not be present.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs not this nuisance analogous to the nuisance in the case of some of the revues which are put on the music hall stage?