asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private prosecutions have been brought in each of the last 10 years for which records are available; in respect of what offences such prosecutions have been brought; in how many and what percentage of such cases the accused was acquitted; how the percentage of such acquittals compares with like cases for like alleged offences brought by or on behalf of the Crown; and in how many and what percentage of such cases in each category the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions was required and obtained.

This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.