§ 21. Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for England and Wales, what was the number of burglaries in 1985 which were notified to the police but which were not cleared up.
§ Mr. MellorThe estimated number of offences of burglary in England and Wales recorded by the police in 1985 but not cleared up is 616,000. Because an offence may be recorded and cleared up in different years, it is not possible to give an exact figure.
§ Mr. BoyesIs that figure not absolutely incredible, disgraceful and disgusting? Has the Minister seen the video produced by the Labour party, which shows that in our campaign we put people first? We will put more police on the beat to protect the people on the streets and in their homes.
§ Mr. MellorI think that there is a career in the music hall for the hon. Gentleman if he thinks that such stuff will be taken seriously. If he is interested in videos and in the credibility of the Labour party, he should look at the GLC-funded video which ended with the words,
Communities must rebel.The Labour party will not be taken seriously on the issue until it gets behind it the Labour council leaders who are leading anti-police campaigns. It must do that before it tries to persuade the rest of us.
§ Mr. McCrindleOn a more sober note, does my hon. Friend recall the Prime Minister's suggestion to insurance companies some months ago that they should be prepared to offer discounts on premiums in return for the installation of burglar alarms and other protection? Has he any indication from insurance companies that they have attended to the matter, and is he keeping in contact with them with a view to achieving what my right hon. Friend suggested?
§ Mr. MellorYes. On an equally sober note, two insurance companies are already doing so, which is very good news.