§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there have been changes in the patterns of cautioning and sentencing for soliciting since 1982; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe Criminal Justice Act 1982 removed imprisonment as a penalty for soliciting. Between 1982 and 1986, the total number proceeded against or cautioned remained much the same. A fall in the number of cautions from 7,900 in 1982 to 4,900 in 1986, was offset by an increase in the number of prosecutions from 6,100 to 9,400. In 1982, 190 offenders were sentenced to immediate imprisonment and 80 committed in default of payment of a fine. In 1986, 210 offenders were committed for fine default. The use of probation or supervision orders has fallen by 74 per cent.