§ Mr. CRAWSHAY-WILLIAMSasked the Home Secretary whether he can give the House any information as to the results to date of the working of the Criminal Law Amendment Act?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Commissioner of Police reports that there is good reason to believe that the Act, which received Royal Assent on 13th December, has had a very satisfactory effect on the classes of persons against whom it was directed. A great many of them cannot be found in their usual haunts, and are believed to have left the country. In the Metropolitan Police District eighteen persons have been convicted during the month of living on immoral earnings, and several cases are still pending. There have been fifteen convictions for keeping disorderly houses. Two cases of procuration are being dealt with, one of which is awaiting trial at the Central Criminal Court. I cannot, of course, say how many of the prosecutions would or would not have been successful under the old law; but the sentences passed show that the Courts are availing themselves of the provisions of the new Act,