The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
Mr. Dubs
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many rate defaulters have been sent to prison in each of the last 10 years; and what were the average maximum and minimum sentences.
Mr. Mellor
Information on the number of persons received on committal by magistrates' courts in default of
| Persons received into Prison Department establishments in England and Wales on committal for non payment of rates: by length of committal and type of court 1975, 1980 and 1985 | ||||||
| Number of persons1 | ||||||
| 1975 | 1980 | 1985 | ||||
| Length of committal | Magistrates' courts | County courts | Magistrates' courts | County courts | Magistrates' courts | County courts |
| Up to one week | 2 | 4 | 6 | — | 9 | 1 |
| Over one up to two weeks | 22 | 15 | 33 | 3 | 38 | 3 |
| Over two up to three weeks | 11 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 30 | 2 |
| Over three weeks up to one month | 58 | 4 | 120 | 2 | 115 | 3 |
| Over one up to two months | 93 | 1 | 95 | — | 83 | — |
| Over two up to three months | 117 | — | 152 | 1 | 78 | 1 |
| Over three up to six months | 11 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Over six months | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Not recorded | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total | 318 | 25 | 419 | 7 | 354 | 10 |
| 1 Based on information recorded centrally, which is approximate. Checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost. | ||||||