The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. W. THORNE:38. To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of raids on London clubs made by the police during the past 12 months; if he will state the amount of expenses incurred by the police officers to obtain evidence; and the total amount of fines and costs of the defendants for the same period?
Mr. THORNEI am not quite sure whether the question really applies to what I want the right hon. Gentleman 1333 to tell me. I want to get at the night clubs. I am not sure whether he will answer in that direction or not.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf the hon. Member is not pleased with my answer, perhaps he will put a correct question down on the Paper. On 24th November last I gave some figures as regards raids on clubs, and perhaps the hon. Member will look at them. The expenses of such raids are always applied for as part of the costs of a successful prosecution and are usually allowed by the Court.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs it a fact that none of the clubs that have been raided are working-men's clubs?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSFor the moment, I cannot charge my memory with the exact character of the clubs.