HC Deb 14 May 1970 vol 801 cc1423-4
1. Dr. Summerskill

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to collate the university research which he has sponsored into the causes of violence.

34. Mr. Moonman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research projects he has initiated with regard to the causes of violence; and to what extent he takes into account the findings of similar studies carried out in other countries.

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

There is close contact between my officials and the Cambridge Institute of Criminology, which is carrying out the programme of study of violence which I announced on 16th December last. This includes a survey of research on violence, which will take account of research in other countries; a descriptive and statistical survey of crimes of violence; and a study of aggressive behaviour by boys in their teens.

Dr. Summerskill

Will my right hon. Friend publish the results of this research, as it is as important to under- stand the causes and prevention of violence as it is to punish those responsible?

Mr. Callaghan

A great deal of the value would be lost unless there was publication when the research was completed.

Mr. Moonman

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many research workers in this subject recognise what he has done to try to calm down the agitation which has been built up, often by the Opposition? Is it not clear that this is an international social problem? Does he agree that the work done in the E.E.C. is also worth considering?

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, Sir. I hope to carry this into international relations. There will be a conference in The Hague later this month of European Ministers of Justice which will afford an opportunity for discussion of this matter.

14. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research is being done into the relationship between the consumption of alcohol and the increasing incidence of crimes of violence.

Mr. Callaghan

This will be given consideration in the programme of research conducted with Government support at the Cambridge Institute of Criminology.

Mr. Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend say why this research has not been done before, and will he ask the Opposition, in view of their well known influence with the brewers, to ask them to contribute to this research rather than to a losing political party?

Mr. Callaghan

I am afraid I cannot answer the first point, but in reply to the second I agree that the brewers are well represented in the top 10 contributors to the Conservative Party. They share that privilege with the merchant banks, I believe. In my other capacity, if I may be allowed a short "commercial", I am very willing to accept contributions from either.