Sir: The good lady Jay, the prostitute who reckons that
liberalising the laws against soliciting would benefit the people who control prostitutes rather than the girls themselves, would only be correct if there weren't a radical change in the laws and in the attitude of society. Prostitution could be fully accepted as in other countries and times. In which case it could be provided on the National Health Service, and the girls
would get a fixed wage from the state.
The borough in which I live is noted for the Chiswick Women's Aid which, among other things, provides assistance to battered wives. Now, no man wants to bash up his wife and it is certain that for every battered wile there is an unhappy husband. But nothing is done for them. Very often their unhappiness is due to sex frustration, which is as prevalent among married men as single men. Even if it is to prevent wives from being battered — rather than for the welfare of men — the laws against prostitution should have been reformed long
ago.
Incidentally, Sir John Woltenden, who was primarily responsible for enforcing the law against soliciting, was elevated in the recent Birthday Honours.
J. M. Passmore
7 Ranelagh Gardens, Stamford Brook Avenue, London W6
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