HC Deb 18 November 1976 vol 919 cc1544-5
4. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of convictions for murder in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and by what percentage this total exceeds or is less than the comparable figure 5, 10 and 15 years previously, respectively.F

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Brynmor John)

There were 107 persons found guilty of murder in England and Wales in 1975. This represents an increase of 10 per cent. on the figure for 1970, 88 per cent. on the figure for 1965 and 155 per cent. on the figure for 1960.

Mr. Taylor

In view of those disturbing and alarming figures, showing an increase in murder convictions of 155 per cent. in the past 15 years since the introduction of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act, does the Minister think that it would be right for the House of Commons to reconsider the whole issue of capital punishment once again very soon?

Mr. John

The House of Commons has on a number of occasions considered this. I believe that the last occasion was in December 1975 when, on a free vote, with support from all parties, it was thought right that the death penalty should not be reintroduced; and that is my personal view.

Mr. Christopher Price

In considering the issue of capital punishment, will my hon. Friend bear in mind my constituent Ronald Leighton in the Confait case, who was found guilty of murder in 1972 and whose conviction was quashed three years later? Is it not wise to bear in mind that convictions of murder in our courts do not always correspond to what actually happened?

Mr. John

As my hon. Friend and the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) will know, we have always said that conviction rates are not a reliable indicator of the incidence of murder. To quote but one example, if three persons are involved in one murder there could be three convictions, and that gives a false picture. The more important point that my hon. Friend makes is that the finality of the death penalty means that when mistakes are made they are irrevocable. I think that all of us would hesitate very long before having any one of those mistakes on our conscience.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Can the Minister tell the House whether there is any reason to believe that with the abolition of capital punishment there have been more convictions for murder rather than convictions on diminished charges?

Mr. John

That is one of the things that statistics by themselves do not show. It may be possible that that is so. Another factor may be the introduction of majority verdicts by the Criminal Justice Act 1967.