62. Mr. V. Adamsasked the Attorney-General whether he will take powers to eliminate breach of promise to marry from the causes upon which an action at law will lie?
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Terence O'Connor)His Majesty's Government do not propose to introduce legislation to carry out the suggestion which the hon. Member makes. I would refer him to the answers to a number of questions which have been recently given upon this subject, particularly the answer which I gave the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 1801 May, 1936.
Mr. AdamsIs the learned Solicitor-General not aware that the very publicity which surrounds these cases may damage a successful defendant beyond all reparation?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThat does not arise out of this question, but if there were to be a revision of the law it would have to include a great deal better provision than the abolition of this particular cause of action.
Mr. AdamsIs it not true that most of these cases are mere blackmail carried out by women who do not shrink from parading their emotions in public?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI think my hon. Friend's remarks are a little too general.