§ SIR ALGERNON BORTHWICK (Kensington, S.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will lay upon the Table of the House a Return stating the number of murders committed by Burglars in the United Kingdom during the past 10 years; how many such murderers have been convicted; how many Persons have been wounded by the use of fire-arms by burglars; how many burglars in the Metropolitan Police District have avoided arrest by the use of fire-arms; and, whether he contemplates proposing any change in the law to deter burglars and others from the felonious use of fire-arms and other dangerous weapons?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)A Return such as my hon. Friend asks for, including the whole of the United Kingdom, could only be obtained by Circular from the Local Police Authorities, and would entail much labour and expense, and I regret that I do not feel able to comply with the request. If, however, my hon. Friend will be satisfied with a Return including only the Metropolitan Police District, I will ask the Chief Commissioner if he is able to give the information asked for; and, if so, I shall be happy to lay such a Return on the Table. It is not my intention to propose any change in the law with regard to the use of fire-arms and other dangerous weapons by burglars.