HC Deb 28 February 1935 vol 298 c1283
15. Mrs. TATE

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of suicides in Great Britain for the years 1932, 1933 and 1934 respectively?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on the 4th February.

Mrs. TATE

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of taking steps to prevent the publication in the Press of the details of cases of suicide, and last letters left by suicides, except in cases where a coroner thinks it would be in the public interest that such details should be published?

Sir J. GILMOUR

All I can say is that we are having an inquiry into the whole question of coroners' courts, and I think this aspect of the matter might be dealt with then.

Mr. WEST

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some increase in the number of suicides is due to the harsh administration of the means test?