§ Sir W. DAVISONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent statements by several of His Majesy's Judges with regard to the increasing prevalence of blackmail whereby money is demanded from the victim if he desires to avoid legal proceedings; and whether he will consult the Law Officers of the Crown as to the best method for counteracting the increase of this crime?
Mr. HENDERSONYes, Sir. Some of His Majesty's Judges nave pointed out that the most effective way of suppressing this class of offence is to encourage victims to come forward and give evidence, and I have no doubt that newspapers readily act upon suggestions made to them from the Bench that the prosecutors' names in these cases should not be published. It does not appear to be necessary to consult the Law Officers upon the subject.