§ Mr. Robert C. Brownasked the Secretary of State for Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place under the provisions of the Protection of Children Act 1978 to the latest date; how many resulted in conviction; and how many resulted in acquittal.
§ Mr. BrittanThe Protection of Children Act came into force on 20 August 1978 and the Department's records of court proceedings in 1978 contain no prosecutions completed by 31 December; corresponding information for 1979 is not yet 821W available. I understand, however, that up to 30 July 1980 the Director of Public Prosecutions has recorded having completed nine prosecutions under the Act, eight of which resulted in conviction and, one in acquittal; and that he has given his consent to prosecution in other cases, but the number of such prosecutions undertaken by the police cannot be readily ascertained.