§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the use of car boot sales as a means of disposing of stolen goods; and if he will bring forward proposals to deal with this.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThere is no evidence that the majority of traders at car boot sales are anything other than law-abiding citizens. Adequate provision already exists in law to deal with those who use the sales as a means of disposing of stolen goods. It is an offence under section 22 of the Theft Act 1968 for a person to handle stolen goods if he knows or believes them to be so. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine. I therefore have no intention of bringing forward proposals to deal specifically with this type of crime.