HC Deb 23 February 1956 vol 549 cc553-5
25. Mr. Parkin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the remarks of Judge Maude in a recent judgment concerning the letting of premises for purposes of prostitution; and whether he will introduce a measure to amend the law on this subject.

33. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will refer to the Departmental Committee on Prostitution and Homosexuality the judicial comments made in a case at the Old Bailey on 9th February concerning premises let at exorbitant rents for the purposes of prostitution.

37. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the decision in the case of Regina v. Silver and others that it is not illegal for a person or persons to lease property solely for the use of prostitution, he will consider introducing an amendment to the Vagrancy Act, 1898, whereby the licence which is thus afforded to those living on immoral earnings will be withdrawn.

Major Lloyd-George

The judgment in the case of Regina v. Silver and others is being considered by the Departmental Committee on Homosexuality and Prostitution, and it would be wise to await its Report before considering legislation.

Mr. Parkin

Whilst thanking the Home Secretary for that reply, may I ask if he will bear in mind that the disconcerting effect of this judgment and the unequal operation of the law in regard to forfeiture of leaseholds does, perhaps, call for a separate examination from the law in regard to the use of property? What does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman propose to do in that connection, as it might be a mistake to leave that to the wider investigation of a Departmental Committee?

Major Lloyd-George

I think that I would rather await the Report. To do what the hon. Member suggests might lead us into piecemeal legislation, which would be a mistake.

Mr. Stokes

In the meantime, pending the receipt of the Report, has the Home Secretary taken any trouble to discover what is going on? Is he aware that rents in these areas have gone roaring up and that the criminal classes are transferring their affections to these quarters as the easiest way of making a living? Has the Home Secretary looked into that?

Major Lloyd-George

As no doubt the right hon. Member appreciates, I spend my time trying to find out what is going on, but I still think that in this case the best thing was to ask the Departmental Committee to consider the matter before making its Report.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

If the Report of the Departmental Committee cannot be expected soon, would not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take immediate legislative action to end this horrible state of affairs, as a result of which big money is being made out of organised vice? Is it not an intolerable situation, now that we know people can live legally on immoral earnings, that no action should be taken by the Government?

Major Lloyd-George

I still think that as the Committee is considering the whole question—this is a very important part of it—it would be better to await its Report.

Mr. Stokes

The Home Secretary has dodged this before. What is he going to do to hurry up the Report of the Departmental Committee? He knows perfectly well that his officers know a great deal about this and a lot of it is done with the connivance of the police. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Oh, yes.

Major Lloyd-George

The right hon. Member said that I have dodged this before. The only thing I have dodged was a wholly unwarranted suggestion made by himself.