§ 30. Mr. FLEMINGasked the Home Secretary what precautions are taken, if any, to prevent English girls from being lured away to foreign countries by white slave traffickers representing themselves as theatrical agents?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe Children (Employment Abroad) Acts, 1913 and 1930, provide that no young person under 18 may go abroad to perform for profit without a licence from one of the Bow Street 1134 Police Court magistrates, and strict conditions are inserted in any such licence to secure the proper treatment and adequate supervision of the young person concerned. I understand that in the case of young women over 18 who are proceeding abroad to fulfil theatrical engagements, the Passport Office before issuing a passport satisfy themselves as far as possible as to the nature of the employment and the terms of the contract. I have no reason to believe that the protection so afforded in insufficient to prevent the risk suggested in the question, but if my hon. Friend has any information in his possession and will send it to me it shall receive careful consideration.
§ Mr. FLEMINGCan my right hon. Friend give the House any information with regard to six London girls who were recently shipped to Paris by a notorious white slaver, by name Luis Fernandez, who was convicted a short time ago by the Paris courts?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better convey that question to the Home Secretary by some other means than by a supplementary question.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the proportion referred to applies only to London girls or also to girls from the provinces; and must they also apply to the Bow Street magistrate?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI imagine so. I think that is so, but I will inquire.
§ Mr. FLEMINGWill my right hon. Friend give the House any information as to the number of girls in the last three months who have been shipped, to the knowledge of Scotland Yard, to foreign ports?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIf my hon. Friend will put down a question, I will look into it.