18. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many murders took place in Scotland in 1966; and what were the comparable figures for 1965, 1961, 1956, and 1951, respectively.
§ Mr. BuchanThirty cases of murder were made known to the police in 1966. The figures for 1965, 1961, 1956 and 1951 were 32, 14, 13 and 9.
Mr. TaylorIn view of the tendency, particularly in the last two years, for the number of murders to increase significantly, will the hon. Gentleman arrange an early meeting with chief constables and others who might be able to find ways and means of bringing the figures 1704 down? Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that it was a grave error of the Government to abolish capital punishment?
§ Mr. BuchanThe discussions which the hon. Gentleman suggests have been going on for a long time. Of course. we have been having this kind of discussion and of course everyone finds any murder a cause of concern and disquiet. But I do not think that the final words of the hon. Gentleman were very helpful. There is no indication in the small range of figures so far over a short period of time that his conclusion is correct.