LAW RELATING TO ENTICEMENT

HC Deb 04 July 1933 vol 280 c161

31. Mr. HALES

asked the Attorney General whether the Government proposes to introduce legislation to amend the law as to enticement?

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Sir Boyd Merriman)

No, Sir.

Mr. HALES

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that in a case in the High Court last week the judge, while expressing every sympathy with the plaintiff, expressed his inability to do justice to her, owing to the law as it now stands and which has resulted in a wife and three children being thrown out upon the world?

The OLICITOR-GENERAL

I think that the hon. Member is entirely mistaken as to the nature of the decision. The learned judge said that there was no doubt about the law, which was in her favour, but what was wrong with her case was that he found that the facts were against her.

Mr. HALES

The question was: Could they prove enticement? And had they proved enticement, the judge would have given a verdict in her favour.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL

That is exactly what I said in other words.