HC Deb 27 January 1972 vol 829 cc493-4W
Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what machinery exists in his Department for keeping the problem of shop-lifting under review; and when reports arising from such review have been published and are to be published.

Mr. Sharples

A working party is considering the problems of shop-lifting and thefts by staff employed by shops. It does not expect to report for some time.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of the shoppers charged with shop-lifting during each of the years from 1960 to 1971 inclusive and how many and what percentage of the men, women and juveniles, respectively, who were convicted and acquitted, were prosecuted by the police; how many and what percentage were prosecuted privately; and of the private prosecutions, how many and what percentage of those which led to acquittals were brought by self-service stores or supermarkets.

Mr. Carlisle

I regret that the information is not available.