§ 8. Mr. N. Pannellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the final report of 1113 the Department of Criminal Science at Cambridge on the study of crimes of violence in the Metropolitan Police area.
§ Mr. RentonMy right hon. Friend hopes to receive the first section of the report during the summer and later sections as they are completed. I understand that it may not be possible for the whole report to be completed until early next year.
§ Mr. PannellDoes not my hon. and learned Friend recall the answer given by his right hon. Friend to me in July of last year, when he said that this report was expected in the first half of 1959? Why is there such an extraordinary delay over such an important matter while these crimes of violence are increasing every year without any check?
§ Mr. RentonThe Department of Criminal Science at Cambridge has had a number of extra tasks placed upon it, mainly in connection with the Ingle by Committee and the establishment of a new institute of criminology. I ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind that there is a vast amount of research and study needed in this matter and that this job is worth doing thoroughly and well. If we try to rush it the results may not be quite so helpful.
§ 9. Mr. N. Pannellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of crimes of violence against the person known to the police during the six-month period ended 31st March, 1959, compared with the six months ended 31st March, 1948, and the six months ended 31st March, 1938.
§ 19. Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes of violence were known to the police in 1958, and for each of the preceding six years, respectively.
§ Mr. RentonI regret that figures for the first three months of 1959 and for parts of the years 1938 and 1948 are not available. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of crimes of violence known to the police in England and Wales in 1938 and in each of the seven years 1952–58.
§ Mr. PannellIn view of the great increase in crimes of violence between 1948 and 1958, as disclosed in a Written 1114 Answer to a Question which I asked earlier this week, and also in view of the fact that there is an increase in crimes of violence for which corporal punishment was formerly applicable—contrary to what has happened up to quite recently—will my hon. and learned Friend consult his right hon. Friend on the question of reintroducing corporal punishment for certain crimes of violence?
§ Mr. RentonThere is no evidence that flogging or birching were in the past or would be in the future a deterrent for the limited number of crimes of violence for which they were awarded. Flogging and birching have no reformative value at all. Although crimes of violence have increased considerably, the number of offences for which flogging and birching were awarded in the past has not increased disproportionately.
§ Mr. PannellThat is not so.
§ Mr. OsborneWhatever the figures may be, is my hon. and learned Friend and his right hon. Friend aware that women, especially in the rural areas where these crimes of violence often occur, feel that some sterner punishment should be meted out to men who are criminals? Is he aware that there is a general feeling in the country that he and his Department are far too soft about this matter and that people want something done? [HON. MEMBERS: R ubbish."1It is not rubbish.
§ Mr. RentonWe must apply our minds rationally to the deterrent and the reformative value of the various kinds of sentences which can be awarded.
§ Dame Florence HorsbrughIs my hon. and learned Friend quite sure that we are being rational and are applying our minds rationally if we discard altogether the idea of any corporal punishment for these crimes which are alarming and annoying the people?
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs the Minister aware that flogging and birching have not been practised in Scotland for over 100 years, and will he refer those hon. Members who think it is a solution to a study of the law of Scotland?
§ Mr. PannellOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Am I permitted to point out that the reply of my hon. and learned 1115 Friend is in conflict with the reply published in the OFFICIAL REPORT oil Monday?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a point of order. It might be a point for debate were there a Question before the House.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that he has the full support of hon. Members on this side of the House for the position he has adopted in his reply to his hon. Friends?
§ Mr. OsborneIn view of the fact that in my constituency two little girls have been brutally murdered in the last eight weeks, I beg to give notice that I shall try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
§ Following is the table:
| Indictable offences of violence against the person known to the police in England and Wales | ||
| 1938 | 2,721 | |
| 1952 | 6,997 | |
| 1953 | 7,083 | |
| 1954 | 7,506 | |
| 1955 | 7,884 | |
| 1956 | 9,307 | |
| 1957 | 10,960 | |
| 1958 | 12,137 | (provisional) |