§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the statistics for 1971 giving details of the number of persons charged with and found guilty of fraud to be available.
§ Mr. SharplesIn the summer, I hope.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give details of the number of persons who were found guilty in 1970 and 1971 in the Metropolitan Police district of fraud under Sections 15, 17 19 and 20, respectively, of the Theft Act, 1968; and what were the sums of money involved and the penalities against those found guilty.
§ Mr. SharplesI am arranging to obtain information for 1970 and shall write to the hon. Member. Figures for 1971 are not yet available.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 423W whether he is aware that the number of persons found guilty in 1970 in the Metropolitan police district of offences classified in the criminal statistics as fraud was 3,444; and what was the actual or estimated figure for 1971.
§ Mr. SharplesAs the hon. Member has been informed, the number of such persons was 3,344 in 1970. Figures for 1971 are not yet available.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis has reported that during 1970 in the Metropolitan and City area the police investigated 258 cases of alleged fraud involving sums of £36 million and 251 cases in 1969 involving £35 million; and what were the comparable figures for 1971.
§ Mr. SharplesMy right hon. Friend is aware of these figures. He is informed by the commissioner that during 1971 the Metropolitan and City Police Company Fraud Squad investigated 343 cases involving £68 million.