§ Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in how many crime reports in the Metropolitan Police area during the latest convenient period the original classification was housebreaking, and in how many of these it was reclassified as simple larceny, and in what proportion of those so reclassified, and of the rest, respectively a relevant insurance policy was in force;
(2) in how many cases in the Metropolitan Police area during the latest convenient period an allegation first noted as larceny, person, was reclassified as lost property.
§ Mr. SharplesWhen a crime is reported to the police the information given is recorded; but frequently it is not possible to judge whether in fact a crime has been committed—and, if so, what crime—until after a police investigation. It is not the normal practice to inquire whether the loser is insured. The information my right hon. Friend asks for is not readily available, but if he has any particular case in mind and cares to let me have particulars, I shall look into it.