§ 16. Mr. Anthony Greenwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent a record is kept in his Department of cases in which persons who have received threats of blackmail in respect of offences they have committed, and have reported such threats to the police, have later been prosecuted for those offences.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerProsecution in such cases is a matter for the chief officer of police concerned and cases are not reported to me.
§ Mr. GreenwoodIs it not a fact that we should do everything we can to encourage members of the public who report blackmail rather than penalise them when they do so? Would it not help to establish the general principle, about which I realise there are difficulties, if cases of this kind were reported to the Home Secretary and a central record kept, and would he consider any cases which hon. Members may bring to his attention?
§ Mr. ButlerIf hon. Members bring cases to my attention I will certainly look at them. We come across cases in the normal course of our work. The hon. Gentleman will remember that in the evidence before the Wolfenden Committee there were a great many cases in which proceedings were not taken—more than thirty which were brought to its attention —against two in which charges were brought. The more information I can get the better I shall be pleased.