HOMOSEXUALS AND THE LAW SIR,—The British Social Biology Council is
organising, through the undersigned sub- committee, a limited survey of the problem of male prostitution in London, with special regard to importuning. It is proposed also to study the types, characteristics and motives of persons involved in homosexual practices and relationships, and to consider, in the light of modern knowledge, the operation, adequacy and deterrent effect of the present law.
The Council believes that first-hand evidence obtained by a skilled research worker will be of special value to the Departmental Committee on Homosexuality and Prostitution shortly to be appointed by the Home Secretary, and that his announcement that there is to be such an enquiry lends urgency to this Council's project.
The proposed survey would be in the nature of a logical sequel to the Council's recently- concluded enquiry into female prostitution, the results of which we propose to publish shortly under the title Women of the Streets. It is, however, extremely difficult to obtain funds for research of this character, and we write to enlist the generous aid of your readers, who may be assured that their contributions—which should be addressed to the Treasurer—will be a significant step towards a real assessment of this acute but long-neglected problem.—Yours faithfully, CRANBROOK, President; GORDON HARRY. Chair- man of Executive., G. C. SELIGMAN, Honorary Treasurer; R. H. AHRENFELDT; T. E. JAMES; N. A. PERRY-GORE; C. H. ROLPH; PETER SCOTT; JOHN SPENCER; KENNETH WALKER; ELEANOR FRENCH, Secretary.
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