HC Deb 26 July 1956 vol 557 cc627-8
39. Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will cause legislation to be introduced at an early date giving him the necessary powers to deal with gang warfare and the commercial organisation of vice.

Major Lloyd-George

No, Sir. Offences of violence of the kind in question are punishable by imprisonment for life, and suggestions for amendments of the law to give the police wider powers in conducting investigations would be unlikely to commend themselves to Parliament or the public.

As regards the commercial organisation of vice, which is a totally different matter, the question whether any amendment, and if so what amendment, should be made in the law relating to prostitution is among those which are being considered by the Wolfenden Committee. As I said in the House on 2nd July, it would be premature and unwise to legislate on any aspect of the subject until the Committee's Report has been studied.

Mr. Proctor

Does the Home Secretary realise that there are a large number of matters outside those of which he has spoken? The first refers to the recruiting for the police, and it is necessary for legislation to implement the recent awards, which undoubtedly would have a good effect very quickly. Does he not realise that a very large proportion of the difficulties arise from the bogus club and from drink? Would it not be possible to get some legislation through the House of Commons to deal with that? Would it not be possible, also, to consider prohibiting known gangsters attending racecourses?

Major Lloyd-George

The hon. Member has asked a great number of supplementary questions. On the last one in regard to racecourses, I think he would appreciate that the position has been practically entirely cleared up compared with the situation in the 'twenties and 'thirties. The other supplementary questions are rather outside the terms of his Question. I repeat that there is already punishment of imprisonment for life for some of these offences.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley - Davenport

Does it not ill become the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Proctor) to ask a Question of this nature, as his party was largely instrumental for passing the anti-hanging Bill, thereby encouraging robbery with violence and, in the final resort, murder?