HC Deb 10 November 1949 vol 469 c138W
31. Mr. Maude

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were prosecuted and how many convicted in the Metropolitan Police area in the years 1938, 1948 and during the first nine months of 1949 of offences involving an allegation of prostitution; and how many of such women received sentences of imprisonment or were fined.

Mr. Ede

In 1938, 3,062 women were charged in the Metropolitan Police district with offences involving an allegation of prostitution and 2,966 were found guilty. In 1948, of 5,363 women charged, 5,291 were found guilty. In the first nine months of 1949, of 4,096 women charged, 4,058 were found guilty. Figures with regard to the imposition of fines and imprisonment in these cases are not separately kept for the Metropolitan Police district. In 1938, 2,897 women over 17 were fined and 53 imprisoned in England and Wales as a whole. In 1948 the corresponding figures were 5,311 and 123 respectively.