§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were imprisoned in England year by year since 1979 for defaulting on their domestic rate payments; and what was the average term of imprisonment.
§ Mr. GummerThe number of people imprisoned in England and Wales since 1979 because of non-payment of rates was:
Number 1979 525 1980 465 1981 415 1982 483 1983 461 1984 420 1985 384 1986 366 1987 350 Information for England only and on the average term of imprisonment could be provided only at disproportionate cost.