§ 18. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders were committed in November and December, 1957; and how this figure compared with the same months in 1956.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe numbers of murders recorded as known to the police in England and Wales in November and December, 1957, were 13 and 17, a total of 30, and in the same months in 1956 were 14 and 19, a total of 33. The figures for both years include some cases which have been, or may be, found not to be murders.
§ 19. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were for murder in 1957; and how this figure compared with 1956.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI regret that the figures for the whole of 1957 are not yet available. The provisional figure for the number of convictions of murder in England and Wales in the first nine months of 1957 is 25. The number in the corresponding period of 1956 was 18.
§ Brigadier ClarkeIn view of this increase for the year, will my right hon. Friend reconsider hanging people for crimes of violence, and flogging when necessary?
§ Mr. ButlerTwo issues are involved there. On the first I think we must give further opportunity to see what experience we have as a result of the operation of the Homicide Act. In regard to the second, there is a Question already on the Order Paper today on that subject.