§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue an interim statement on the investigations he is carrying out into the effect of self-service trading methods on the shoplifting statistics.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Home Office Research Unit is studying, in relation to theft in shops, prosecution practice, store security, and sentencing. A report is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and it is not possible to anticipate its findings. No investigation specifically into the effect of self-service methods is being conducted.