HC Deb 23 February 1972 vol 831 cc1271-2
20. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the committee investigating penalties for homicide; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The Emslie Committee is expected to report before the end of this year.

Mr. Taylor

The question has been given renewed urgency as murder convictions in 1971 appear to be an all-time high. Will this report be published?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

This question is always urgent, although very often I think we would do well to attract even more attention to the problems of crimes of violence generally rather than specifically to those of murder. Certainly, I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend said about publication because obviously this is the kind of report which will be made public.

Mr. John Smith

Will the Under-Secretary undertake not to rush into a decision about this matter and bear in mind that he will receive the support of many responsible hon. Members on this side of the House in resisting attempts by his hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor) to make cheap political capital out of a serious matter?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

It is unfair to say that my hon. Friend is trying to make cheap political capital. He is showing genuine concern about a topic which wor ries many responsible members of the public and he is right to bring it before the House. But I agree that we cannot act until we know what is in the report and we shall consider it soberly and fully when the time comes.