§ Mr. MANDERasked the Home Secretary whether he has any records as to the number of prosecutions, successful and unsuccessful, that have taken place under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1907, and the total amount paid in fines?
§ Mr. CLYNESI am informed that since the Act came into force proceedings have been taken in 704 cases, including eight now pending, and in 492 of these cases convictions are known to have been obtained. In 98 cases, nearly all of which were in the War period, information as to the result of the proceedings is not available; in nine cases the accused absconded, and in one case the accused died before the proceedings were heard. The total amount paid in fines could not be ascertained without an expenditure of time and labour which would not be justified.