§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions there have been in the London and south east regions, by constabulary, for offences in connection with bogus street collections in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [50322]
(2) if he will advise television and radio broadcasters to take adequate precautions against bogus charity collectors taking part in telethons and radio appeal days; [50324]
192W
Number of persons prosecuted for child pornography offences, England and Wales, 1994–96 1994 1995 1996 Offence Males Females Males Females Males Females Take, make, distribute, show, possess with intent to distribute or show, or publish any advertisement conveying the distribution of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children1 37 3 49 4 80 — Possession of an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child2 53 — 59 1 122 3 1 Protection of Children Act 1978 S1, 6 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 S84 2Criminal Justice Act 1988 S160 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 S84(4) and 86(1) (3) if he will take steps to warn retailers about bogus charity collectors who apply for permission to collect on retail premises and in shopping malls. [50323]
§ Mr. MichaelInformation collected centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database does not distinguish offences committed under the Police, Factories Etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 and the House to House Collections Act 1939 from other summary offences.
The Charity Commission meets regularly with licensing authorities and seeks to co-operate with any requests for information about charities or fund-raising organisations. The Commission encourages owners of retail premises to check with them if they have any doubts about an organisation seeking permission to carry out a charitable collection. Basic details of all registered charities can also be checked on the Commission's website at htpp://www.charity-commission.gov.uk.
There are many charities connected with NHS Trusts. Checks with a number of Trusts have revealed that, generally, hospitals allow only these charities to collect on their property.