HC Deb 19 May 1960 vol 623 cc1465-6
17. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Metropolitan Police authority has now decided to prosecute the printers and publishers of a periodical entitled the Ladies' Directory, which advertises facilities for prostitution.

Mr. Renton

The Commissioner informs me that the police have not yet completed their inquiries.

Mr. Lipton

Now that prostitutes have been advertising their services in this periodical for many months—and eight issues have appeared to date—will the Home Office send its copies to the Inland Revenue or to the Income Tax authorities so that they can ask for returns in respect of these flourishing business activities?

Mr. Renton

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue may well be interested in the hon. Member's useful suggestion. I am not sure how far it is proper for a Government Department to prompt the Inland Revenue in the way suggested, but I will bear the suggestion in mind.

Sir T. Moore

Can my hon. and learned Friend inform us how the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) gets hold of these interesting periodicals? Can he inform us whether it is from the Home Office, the Sunday Pictorial, or the News of the World? One would like to know.

Mr. Lipton rose

—

Mr. Speaker

I do not know whether the Under-Secretary wishes to answer the hon. Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore).

Mr. Renton

I did. The hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) did not get a copy from the Home Office. Indeed, I do not know whether he has one, but I can make discreet inquiries for my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore) if he wants one.

Mr. Lipton

Would it help the hon. and learned Member and the hon. Member to know that this publication is openly on sale in the West End and that the hon. Member will have no difficulty in getting as many copies as he likes?