HC Deb 07 March 1944 vol 397 cc1876-7
67. Mr. Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can give any information in connection with the raid for the sixth time made by the police on the Chesterfield Club in Dean Street, Soho; what persons were charged with using the dub as a common gaming house; and if he intends closing down the club.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)

This club was entered by the police on the 25th February. Albert Edward Bell, the person in charge, was arrested, together with 24 persons found frequenting the premises. On the 29th February, Bell was fined £15 and ordered to pay £11 11s. 0d. costs, and the frequenters were bound over. Eight of these frequenters had been previously bound over in the sum of £10 each, and the full amounts were ordered to be forfeited. As my hon. Friend was informed on 10th February last, there is no power to order the closing of a club of this character.