§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned into how other EC countries deal with prostitution, kerb crawling and soliciting. [40577]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 31 October 1995]: We have not commissioned any research into how other EC countries deal with prostitution, kerb crawling and soliciting.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted for(a) soliciting, (b) prostitution and (c) kerb crawling in each of the last five years. [40578]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 31 October 1995]: The information is given in the table:
Number of persons prosecuted for certain offences 1990–19941 England and Wales Offence description 1990 1991 1992 1993 19941 Persistent soliciting of women for the purpose of prostitution (Sexual Offences Act 1985 Sec 21 90 71 70 6946 Common prostitute loitering or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution(Street Offences Act 1959 Sec 1) 10,612 10,262 9,584 8,094 7,177 Kerb-crawling (Sexual Offences Act 1959 Sec 1) 1,377 1,323 1,005 777 1,113 1Provisional.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to make kerb crawling and soliciting recordable offences. [40580]
283W
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 31 October 1995]: Loitering and soliciting for the purposes of prostitution is already a recordable offence. Kerb crawling currently is not, but I am considering whether it should be.
§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the effectiveness of the Street Offences Act 1959 and other relevant legislation in relation to soliciting, prostitution and kerb crawling. [40581]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 31 October 1995]: We believe that the law in relation to soliciting, prostitution and kerb crawling is generally effective, and we have no plans to review it.