§ 13. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a recent lawsuit in the King's Bench Division, Owen v. Odhams Press, Limited, and another, in which evidence was given as to the publication of a so-called matrimonial paper called the "Matchmaker" and various activities connected with it; and whether he has requested the Director of Public Prosecutions to call for the papers with a view to the prosecution of the proprietors, editor, and staff of the paper?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have seen reports in the Press. The matter is not one in which I have any direct responsibility, but I will bring the hon. and gallant Member's question to the notice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman also bring the summing-up of the learned Judge to the notice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, in which he passed very severe strictures on the staff of this paper and described them as acting as procurers?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not want to take more responsibility in this House than the law gives me, and I am not responsible for this matter at all. I cannot do more than bring the hon. and gallant Member's question, and his 2045 supplementary question also, to the notice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI am sorry to press the right hon. Gentleman, but is he not responsible as Home Secretary for proceedings in the case of activities of such a paper as this? Cannot he take ordinary police action?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI really do not think I have any responsibility in this matter. I am not a censor of the Press, and there is no suggestion here of indecency—
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYOh, yes, there is.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNot in the advertisements. I cannot do more than I have promised the hon. and gallant Member; that is, to send his question and supplementary question to the Director of Public Prosecutions. It will show the Director of Public Prosecutions what is in the hon. and gallant Member's mind.
§ 16. Mr. DAYasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence given in the High Court in a case which the proprietor of a matrimonial agency has instituted against a weekly journal; and, in view of this evidence, will he consider the introduction of legislation making it necessary for agencies of this nature to be licensed?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have seen reports in the Press. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. DAYDoes not the Home Secretary think there should be some control over agencies carried on in this way, and have there not been many cases in the past which have disclosed the scandalous dealings which were disclosed in this ease?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think it would be better if hon. Members brought in a Private Bill dealing with this matter. So many things are now put on the Home Secretary that I do not want to ask the permission of the House to assume more powers than I have at present.
§ Mr. DAYIf a Private Bill is introduced, will the right hon. Gentleman give it his blessing and support?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI will give it my careful consideration.