HC Deb 21 November 1957 vol 578 cc550-1
26. Mr. Hyde

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide figures showing the murder rates of children and old people, respectively, during the past five years or other convenient period.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving statistics for the years 1952–56 and for the first nine months of 1957.

Following is the table:

by his Department, he will indicate the age groups of the victims in crimes of murder.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I agree that it would be useful to give in the annual volume of Criminal Statistics some further particulars about the ages of victims of murder, and I shall consider how this information can best be given in future volumes.

Mr. Hyde

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there has been an idea gaining credence in the public mind that the murder rate has increased, particularly in respect of young children and old people? Does he not think it would be extremely helpful if we could have further and better particulars on this point?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, I will see what I can do.