§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for each year since 1975, how many persons were arrested in the Metropolitan Police district for being suspected of frequenting a public place with intent to commit an arrestable offence, but no action was taken following arrest; and for each of these years, what was the breakdown of these figures by ethnic appearance.
§ Mr. WhitelawI am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the information requested could636W not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of those persons stopped or searched under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1967 or the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, what was the number, for each year since 1972, found to unlawfully possess controlled drugs in (a) England and Wales as a whole and (b) the Metropolitan Police district; and in each case what percentage these figures represent of the total arrested under these Acts for each of these years in both these areas.
§ Mr. WhitelawI shall reply as soon as possible.