HC Deb 28 April 1955 vol 540 cc1047-8
8. Lieut-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Committee investigating the law relating to homosexual offences and prostitution is likely to report.

Major Lloyd-George

I understand that the Committee is still receiving evidence and it is not yet possible to say when it is likely to report.

Lieut-Colonel Lipton

Will the Home Secretary do his best to get the Committee to speed up its Report and so end as quickly as possible the very unseemly hypocritical state of affairs now existing in London, whereby increasing numbers of women are soliciting in the streets subject only to a regular payment of 40s. whenever the police and the local magistrate think fit?

Major Lloyd-George

In common with most Members, I regard this as a very serious matter. I do not think that it would help if we stressed too much the need for speed in the Committee's work, because large numbers of bodies are still anxious to give evidence. As the Committee started work only in September, I do not think we can complain about delay up to now.