§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were committed into custody by magistrates courts in default of payment of a fine where the original offence was one of loitering or soliciting during 1982, 1983, 1984 and the first six months of 1985.
§ Mr. David MellorThe information available is given in the following table:
Prostitutes committed into custody by magistrates' courts in default of payment of a fine Number 1982 83 1983 168 1984 269 January—June 1985* 151 * Provisional.