§ 1. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of known homosexual offences and the number of prosecutions for such offences in 1939 and the latest year for which figures are available.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Henry Brooke)Figures are available only for indictable offences. The number of indictable homosexual offences known to the police in 1939 was 1,192, and the number of persons prosecuted in that year for such offences was 596. The corresponding figures for 1962, the latest year for which statistics are available, were 4,866 and 1,946. These figures do not necessarily reflect a proportionate increase in homosexual behaviour.
§ Mr. ShepherdCan my right hon. Friend say whether this increase in prosecutions reflects any increased vigilance on the part of the police in respect of this crime?
§ Mr. BrookeThe police are always vigilant. I do not think that I can say more than that.
§ Mr. FitchCan the Home Secretary say how many homosexual offences came to light because the homosexuals themselves sought police protection against blackmailers?
§ Mr. BrookeCertainly not without notice.