HC Deb 24 July 1969 vol 787 cc2104-5
5. Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders known to the police remain unsolved; and how many of these are classified as capital murders.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. James Callaghan)

The latest corrected figure for unsolved murders known to the police in England and Wales from 1957 to 1968 is 186; of these, 35 are estimated to be "capital" offences.

Sir Richard Glyn

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the number of unsolved murders in recent years far exceeds those known to the police before 1964?

Mr. Callaghan

No, sir. Statistics do not bear out that statement. I have the figures in front of me. I would point out, as a necessary corrective that must be made, that of these 186 no fewer than 67 are murders of children under the age of one year, which might properly, if they were ever solved, be classed as infanticides.