§ Mr. Simeonsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been carried out to indicate whether the existing penalties for prostitutes upon conviction represent the increase in earning capacity as a result of inflation since these maximum penalties were laid down; and what conclusions he has reached.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe penalties will be examined in the course of a review of the law relating to vagrancy and street offences which is being undertaken by the Departments concerned.
§ Mr. Simeonsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has sought from the police with regard to the present cautioning system with respect to soliciting; and whether he considers change is necessary to make police supervision of areas in which prostitues operate more effective with a view to prosecution.
§ Mr. CarlisleInformation from the police about the number of cautions given and the effectiveness of the cautioning system will be taken into account in the course of the current review of the law on vagrancy and other street offences. It is too soon to say whether any change in the cautioning system will be found desirable.