§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD SHEFFIELDMy Lords, this is a Bill which has passed through the other 418 House. The Home Office think it needs some small amendment, but that is a matter which will come up in Committee. I may say, shortly, that the Children Act made it a criminal offence for any person having the control or custody of a girl under sixteen years of age to bring about her seduction or her prostitution. A case was tried where a girl of that age, by the influence and power of the person having control over her, was put into an immoral way of acting, but as it was not for the purposes of money it was therefore not prostitution. The Judge who tried the case recommended a conviction, but on appeal the Court of Criminal Appeal declared that where it was not prostitution it was not an offence. It has been felt that that is a blot which ought to be remedied, and the object of this Bill is to remedy it. As I have said, the words of this Bill go, perhaps, a little too far; but if your Lordships will read it a second time the matter of limitation can be considered in Committee. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Sheffield.)
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, I think the noble Lord who is responsible for the Bill in this House has sufficiently explained to your Lordships the object of it. The Home Office have nothing but praise for the objects of the Bill, but, as the noble Lord rightly said, some small amendment may be desirable, and the question of whether it is very good English, and so on, may arise in Committee. But in any case there will be no alteration except merely of a verbal kind.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House Tomorrow.