§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary (1) how many so-called night clubs have been raided since the present Government took office; how many prosecutions have been 1542W instituted against the night clubs; how many have succeeded; and how many so-called night clubs known to the police exist in the Metropolitan police district;
(2) whether his attention has been called to the remarks of the Recorder of London in the course of a case at the Old Bailey on 16th July, in which he said that, if the so-called night clubs were closed, there would be much less vice in London; and whether he will give instructions for a stricter control of these places and for prosecutions where the law is infringed?
Mr. HENDERSONI have seen a report of the observations of the Recorder of London. The control of night clubs—a term not easy to define—is a matter which seriously engages the attention of the Commissioner of Police and myself. I am informed by him that during the half year ended 30th June, 1924, there were some 40 clubs which might be described as night clubs in the Metropolitan police district, but, six of these were struck off the register during this period and another one has ceased to exist. There were eight police prosecutions, all of which were successful, and on eight occasions premises were raided by police. During the same period, two additional prosecutions were successfully' instituted by the London County Council in respect to unlicensed public dancing. I am satisfied that the police are doing all they can to suppress the clubs that habitually infringe the law, but, it is a question whether tinder the law as it stands at present powers to deal with the evils which may arise in this connection are sufficient. I have the point under consideration.