§ 2.35 p.m.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many convictions there were in the Metropolitan Police area in the years 1949 and 1959, respectively, for soliciting by males, and how many convictions there were in the same periods of adults for indecent assaults upon boys and youths.]
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, the number of males convicted of persistently soliciting or importuning in a public place in the Metropolitan Police District in 1949 was 470. In 1959 the number was 407. I regret that it is not possible to give figures for indecent assaults by adults on youths and boys, because this offence is not classified in the criminal statistics according to the age of the victim.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Earl for his Answer.