§ 34. Sir C. CAYZERasked the Home Secretary if he can state the number of unsolved murder cases recorded since the publication of the Report of the Royal Commission on Police Powers and Procedure in March, 1929; and the number of unsolved murder cases recorded between the dates March, 1926, and March, 1929?
§ Sir H. SAMUELFigures for the periods named are not available, but I can give figures for 1927 and 1928 in comparison with those for 1929 and 1930. Excluding murders of infants under one year and mostly newly-born, and deaths following abortion, in the first two-year period, there were in England and Wales murders of 196 persons known to the police; in the second period of 189 persons. The number of cases in which the suspected person did not die or commit suicide, or in which there was no arrest, was 4 in the first period and 9 in the second.
§ Sir C. CAYZERIn view of the number of unsolved cases since the publication of that report, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision as to the setting up of an inquiry to take evidence in private from members of the Criminal Investigation Department as to their difficulties in these cases?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThe increase is exceedingly small and has no relation whatever to the report.
§ Sir C. CAYZERIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at an early date.