§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions have been recorded for soliciting by women and for importuning by men, respectively; and if he will consider amending legislation so that prosecution for soliciting or importuning must be corroborated by the complainant and not just by the usual plain clothes police officers.
§ Mr. JohnIn 1975 in England and Wales 3,289 females were found guilty of offences against Section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959 and 614 males of offences against Section 32 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956. I do not consider it appropriate that there should be a requirement that the complainant should give evidence in such cases.