Harassment and Illegal Eviction (Hansard, 25 March 1977)

§ Mr. Frank Allaun
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions have taken place for harassment and illegal eviction, respectively; and how many have resulted in convictions in each of the years since the Rent Act 1965 came into force;
(2) how many people have been prosecuted for harassment and illegal eviction, respectively; and how many were convicted in each of the years since the Rent Act 1965 came into force.

§ Mr. John
The offences concerned are covered by Section 30 of the Rent Act 1965. The readily available information is as follows:
689W

§ Mr. Frank Allaun
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the number of fines imposed for harassment and illegal eviction, respectively, in each of the years since the Rent Act 1965 came into force; and what was the average fine in each year;

1973 1974 1975

Fines imposed (number of)

Section 30(2) Harassment … … … … … … 116 57 45

Section 30(1) Illegal eviction … … … … … … 97 50 79

Average fine

Section 30(2) Harassment … … … … … … n.a. £63.85 £53.66

Section 30(1) Illegal eviction … … … … … … n.a. £39.34 £71.50

Sentences of immediate imprisonment (number of)

Section 30(2) Harassment … … … … … … 6 Nil Nil

Section 30(1) Illegal eviction … … … … … … n.a. Nil 8

Average length of sentence (months)

Section 30(2) Harassment … … … … … … 6 Nil Nil

Section 30(1) Illegal eviction … … … … … … n.a. Nil 5

Figures for the years prior to 1973 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Frank Allaun
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were for harassment and illegal eviction, respectively, in the Metropolitan Police District, the West Midland area and Merseyside area in each of the years since the Rent Act 1965 came

PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS FOR OFFENCES UNDER SECTION 30 OF THE RENT ACT 1965—BY CERTAIN POLICE FORCE AREAS

Number of offences

Metropolitan Police District West Midlands^* Merseyside^*

Prosecutions Convictions Prosecutions Convictions Prosecutions Convictions

Under section 30(2) (Harassment)

1973 … … 87 41 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.

1974 … … 39 28 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.

1975 … … 12 3 Nil Nil Nil Nil

Under section 30(1) (Illegal Eviction)

1973 … … 65 44 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.

1974 … … 19 10 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.

1975 … … 42 34 1 1 7 5

^* West Midlands Police and Merseyside Police Force were formed in April 1974.

Figures for the Metropolitan Police District for years prior to 1973 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

							1973	1974	1975
Fines imposed (number of)
Section 30(2) Harassment	…	…	…	…	…	…	116	57	45
Section 30(1) Illegal eviction	…	…	…	…	…	…	97	50	79
Average fine
Section 30(2) Harassment	…	…	…	…	…	…	n.a.	£63.85	£53.66
Section 30(1) Illegal eviction	…	…	…	…	…	…	n.a.	£39.34	£71.50
Sentences of immediate imprisonment (number of)
Section 30(2) Harassment	…	…	…	…	…	…	6	Nil	Nil
Section 30(1) Illegal eviction	…	…	…	…	…	…	n.a.	Nil	8
Average length of sentence (months)
Section 30(2) Harassment	…	…	…	…	…	…	6	Nil	Nil
Section 30(1) Illegal eviction	…	…	…	…	…	…	n.a.	Nil	5
Figures for the years prior to 1973 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS FOR OFFENCES UNDER SECTION 30 OF THE RENT ACT 1965—BY CERTAIN POLICE FORCE AREAS
Number of offences
			Metropolitan Police District	West Midlands^*	Merseyside^*
			Prosecutions	Convictions	Prosecutions	Convictions	Prosecutions	Convictions
Under section 30(2) (Harassment)
1973	…	…	87	41	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
1974	…	…	39	28	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
1975	…	…	12	3	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Under section 30(1) (Illegal Eviction)
1973	…	…	65	44	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
1974	…	…	19	10	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
1975	…	…	42	34	1	1	7	5
^* West Midlands Police and Merseyside Police Force were formed in April 1974.
Figures for the Metropolitan Police District for years prior to 1973 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.