§ Mr. KELLYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware 1432W that the Prostitution Act in force in the Bombay Presidency has been a failure because, while it forbids men to keep brothels, it allows women to do so; and whether, in view of the conditions in Bombay City and in the Presidency generally, he will urge the Government of India to have amending legislation introduced to prevent the continuance of this discrimination?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe Act in question did not purport to suppress brothels whether kept by men or women: this step was felt to be premature. It does, however, penalise male persons who live on the earnings of prostitutes. The advisability of extending this penalty to women as well as men was fully considered by the Bombay Legislative Council when the Bill was under discussion and decided in the negative. This is a matter which would most naturally be left to the Bombay public and the Provincial Legislative Council who are fully competent to deal with it.