Mr. Greville Dannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will institute an inquiry into the need for the protection of shoppers against wrongful prosecution for shop- lifting with a view to the introduction of legislation.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe problem of shoplifting is kept under review but my right hon. Friend has no plans for such an inquiry.
256Whow many shoppers were charged with shoplifting during each of the years from 1960 to 1970 inclusive; how many and what proportion of these were acquitted; and how many and what proportion of those convicted and of those acquitted were men, women and juveniles, respectively.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe following table gives the available details of persons proceeded against for shoplifting under Section 2 of the Larceny Act, 1916, or Section 1 of the Theft Act, 1968:—