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Written Answers

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17 MAY 1985

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RECEIVED DILUISTRY

DESK

INDEX

22 MAY 1985

as

REGISTRY Action Taken

Board and Lodging Payments (Regulations)

Mr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications of the new regulations on board and lodging accommodation payments for the electoral registration of supplementary benefit claimants living temporarily in such accommodation.

Mr. Mellor: Generally speaking, someone living at board and lodging accommodation for the periods mentioned in the regulations would be unlikely to qualify to register as an elector for that address, although he could qualify to register as an elector elsewhere. The decision in any individual case would be a matter for the electoral registration officer, who is answerable to the courts.

Shoplifting

Mr. Watts asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to change the penalties available to the courts for the offence of shoplifting.

Mr. Mellor: No.

Sunday Trading

Mr. Greenway asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the number of people currently engaged in Sunday trading; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor: This information is not collected by the Department on a routine basis.

Unconvicted Male Prisoners

Mr. Kilroy-Silk asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in the light of his statement of 25 January in reply to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North, Official Report, columns 533-34, that the problem of unconvicted adult male prisoners being held in police cells had been dealt with, there were 34 unconvicted adult males held in police cells on the night of 25 January.

Mr. Mellor: There was a sudden surge in the population that day which could not be accommodated because of essential maintenance work in B wing at Brixton.

Vietnamese Refugees

Sir Patrick Wall asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he has made to the request to Her Majesty's Government by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to take in more Vietnamese refugees from closed camps in Hong Kong.

Mr. Waddington: The Government's policy towards Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong is currently being reviewed in the light of recommendations made by the Home Affairs Committee in its report on refugees and asylum, with special reference to the Vietnamese.

BBC (Peacock Committee)

Mr. Brinton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to announce the membership of the Peacock committee reviewing the finances of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

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