§ 9. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary how many so-called night clubs in the Metropolitan area have been raided by the police in the last 12 months; how many have been prosecuted and how many have been closed during the same period; and whether he is now satisfied that he has the necessary legal powers to deal effectively with ill-conducted or objectionable establishments?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am informed that during the year ended 31st October last, 22 clubs that may be so described were raided, and the same number of prosecutions took place. All these clubs have been closed as a result of prosecution. I may mention that 13 other clubs have also been closed. I am 2041 unable to say that if more powers were given by Parliament more effective measures could not be taken.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhen the right hon. Gentleman took office, he intended to introduce legislation giving more powers. Why is not that being done, in view of the figures which he has just given, showing the immense spread of this evil?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs the hon. and gallant Member knows, the powers of obstruction place very great difficulties in the way of introducing legislation—
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI want to help the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI shall gladly avail myself of the hon. and gallant Member's help. In the meantime, he will realise that I am using the powers now vested in me by law, and, I think, using them fairly effectively.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see, when he has had 22 successful prosecutions in a year, that it is obvious that this evil must be dealt with by legislation?