§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were sentenced to a prison term under each offence category in the latest year for which figures are available; and what numbers and percentage of the total were fine defaulters.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 9 March 1994:
RECEPTIONS UNDER SENTENCE
227WThe Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many people were sentenced to a prison term under each offence category in the latest year for which figures are available; and what numbers and percentage of the total were fine defaulters.The information you have requested is given in the table.
Offence Immediate imprisonment In default of payment of a fine All Percentage in default of payment of a fine Theft and handling 9,142 4,431 13,573 33 Taking and driving away 2,178 349 2,527 14 Other thefts 5,228 3,451 8,679 40 Handling stolen goods 1,736 631 2,367 27 Fraud and forgery 1,790 698 2,488 28 Frauds 1,665 659 2,324 28 Forgery 125 39 164 24 Drugs offences 3,126 495 3,621 14 Other offences 12,255 13,391 25,646 52 Arson 430 24 454 5 Criminal damage 701 1,842 2,543 72 Immigration Act 1977 7 0 7 0 In charge or driving under the influence of drink or drugs 1,665 579 2,244 26 Other motoring offences 5,007 7,210 12,217 59 Offences relating to prostitution 19 91 110 83 Drunkenness 161 526 687 77 Vagrancy 28 93 121 77 Other 4,237 3,026 7,263 42 Offence not recorded 4,031 227 4,258 5 1 Provisional figures.