§ Commander O. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Home Secretary whether he will amend the law so that no arrests for offences against public morals can be made by police officers in plain clothes?
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§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir; I do not think that an amendment of the law in the sense suggested would be in the public interest.
§ Commander LOCKER - LAMPSONasked the Home Secretary whether he will amend the law so as to prohibit the publication of any particulars concerning the case of an individual arrested for an offence against public morals unless a conviction results?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI recognise that where a person is charged with an offence of this kind, press publicity may in many cases be detrimental to the defendant even if the charge is eventually dismissed; but there are other cases where it is in the interest of the defendant that publicity should be given to his acquittal. There would be great difficulties in restricting publicity in the way which my hon. Friend suggests, and I do not see my way to initiate legislation for the purpose.