§ 3. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of certain cases of theatrical artistes who have been defrauded out of their earnings and left stranded in various parts of Great Britain since the introduction of the Theatrical Employers' Registration Act, 1925, he will consider the advisability of amending this Act, so that the penal provisions of the same can be enforced?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)The Government cannot hold out any prospect of undertaking legislation, but I should see no objection to the introduction of a Private Member's 1336 Bill limited to a proposal to empower registration authorities to institute proceedings for offences against the Act.
§ Colonel DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these girls are suffering very great hardship through being stranded, and cannot he see his way to amend the present legislation? It would be a very small affair.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have answered several questions of the hon. Gentleman on this subject. Opinion is not unanimous upon this proposal.
§ Colonel DAYSurely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that companies are being stranded almost every week and that these girls are left in all parts of Great Britain and cannot get back to London.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI hardly like to use the word "exaggeration," but I think the hon. Member does a little bit overstate it.
§ Mr. J. HUDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are several cases where the police, in towns where girls have been stranded, have taken very sympathetic action?