§ Dr. Petersasked the Attorney-General if he has considered the complaints persistently made by representatives of spiritualistic churches, psychic research societies and others, that two ancient Statutes, namely, the Witchcraft Act, 1642W 1735, and the Vagrancy Act, 1824, have been, and are, being used for the purpose of persecuting spiritualistic mediums; that the above Acts are harsh and unjust in their operation and out of keeping with the spirit of the times; and if he will include them in the survey of ancient Statutes being made by him in conjunction with the Lord Chancellor.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe administration of these Acts is not under my control, but I cannot accept the allegations referred to in the Question. I am informed that prosecuting authorities do not institute proceedings except where they are satisfied that there is evidence of fraud and imposture. As stated in my answer on 1st November, the task of clarifying and overhauling the Statute book will be a long one, and it is, of course, impossible to forecast its rate of progress. The Acts in question would come under the general head of Acts relating to fraud.