HC Deb 11 December 1958 vol 597 cc502-3
34. Mrs. L. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Street Offences Committee, 1928. in connection with proposals to change the law affecting soliciting.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have considered the Committee's recommendations among other proposals for solving the problem of street soliciting, but I do not think that they represent a satisfactory solution of it.

Mrs. Jeger

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Parliament has never considered the findings of this very distinguished Committee? Is he also aware that the recommendation that any change in the law to deal with molestation should apply equally to men and women commands considerable support in the country? Will he assure us that he will consider it equally with his consideration of the conflicting recommendations of Part III of the Wolfenden Report?

Mr. Butler

I will bear that in mind. I made some reference to the difficulty in my speech the other day.

Dr. Summerskill

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the London police could not adopt the same methods as are being operated by the police in the City of Nottingham?

Mr. Butler

I should like to have details of those methods. I could then see what could be done.

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