§ 17. Sir R. THOMASasked the Home Secretary whether he has now decided to take action as a result of the facts revealed some months ago in the report of the Chief Constable of Cardiff regarding the association of white women with Asiatic and coloured seamen in the dock district; and, if so, along what lines?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONThe problem is not a new one, and I do not think that any immediate and complete solution of it is possible. As my right hon. Friend indicated in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Cardiff, South (Captain A. Evans), on 28th January last, certain possibilities are being investigated; but I should prefer not to specify them at present.
§ Sir R. THOMASCannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman give a reason why he will not specify the possibilities?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONThis is not a subject for discussion at Question Time.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs not the remedy for this to employ a greater proportion of British seamen in British ships?
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that this is a very serious matter, and does he not think that some reasonable reply should be given to a question of this kind?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONThe question as to whether the reply is reasonable is a matter of opinion.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that when he replies to questions he gives always the most evasive answers?
Viscountess ASTORWill my hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind, in dealing with this question, that women who have looked into it think that trained women police would be a great preventive?