§ Colonel DAYasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a person charged at a Petty Sessional Court with living on the immoral earnings of women can only be sentenced to a term of hard labour not exceeding six months; is he aware of the comment made by Sir Charles Biron, the Bow Street Magistrate, when sentencing such a person to the maximum term of imprisonment on the 20th June; and will he consider legislation with a view to the maximum sentence for this offence being increased?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere are very few cases in which a Court of summary jurisdiction is empowered to pass a sentence of more than six months, and I do not think it advisable to add to the number. But I may point out that on indictment a sentence of two years' hard labour may be imposed, and in the case of a second conviction, the Court may also order a whipping.