33. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the to al number of crimes of violence and murders, respectively, made known to the police in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable totals in the same 12-month period five, 10 and 15 years previously.
§ Mr. RossThe number of crimes of violence made known to the police in Scotland in the 12-month period ending 30th September, 1969, was 3,478. The comparable totals in the year ending 30th September, 1964, 1959 and 1954 were 2,177, 1,398 and 849 respectively. The latest corrected figure of murders made known to the police in Scotland in the year ending 31st December, 1968, was 37, 1342 and the comparable totals for the year ending 31st December, 1963, 1958 and 1953 were 14, 15 and 14.
Mr. TaylorDoes the Secretary of State agree that the figures for crimes of violence are quite frightening and show an alarming increase? Does he recall telling one of my hon. Friends on 2nd December that assaults on police officers in the course of their duties last year were more than half as great as in any of the previous 10 years? Now that Parliament has abolished capital punishment, what further steps does he propose to take to protect police officers in the course of their duties?
§ Mr. RossThe hon. Gentleman should not anticipate decisions elsewhere. This House has decided its attitude. The hon. Gentleman should be reasonably fair about it. We have put in a tremendous effort and we have had co-operation from the police, public and local police authorities. We managed to stabilise these figures last year, and this year they are showing a decline of just short of 5 per cent.