§ 32. Mr. Adleyasked the Attorney-General what recent representations he has received concerning shoplifting and the elderly: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AdleyThat is a slightly surprising answer, in view of press reports that were to be received from the Association for the Prevention of Thefts in Shops. However, in view of the continuing concern that the increase in self-service trading is the prime cause of shoplifting, and in the light of the stores' unwillingness to implement many of the Home Office proposals, will my hon. and learned Friend seriously consider requiring the stores themselves to undertake prosecutions in shoplifting cases?
The Solicitor-GeneralThe present position is that by far the majority of prosecutions for shoplifting are conducted as private prosecutions by the stores. I suggest that that is very satisfactory for many of the reasons that my hon. Friend has mentioned, but it would not be possible to direct that all prosecutions should be undertaken in that way.