HC Deb 23 January 1986 vol 90 cc440-1
13. Mr. Stuart Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information on the incidence of crime he derives from the general household survey.

Mr. Mellor

Information from the general household survey is used to assess the true incidence of burglaries and thefts in dwellings. For example, comparison of burglary figures with general household survey and British crime survey figures suggests that in 1972, 45 per cent. of burglary offences were reported to the police. In 1983, nearly 80 per cent. of such offences were reported. This may be a result of greater confidence in the police, or insurance demands.

Mr. Holland

rose— [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. We have more than 10 minutes of Question Time to go.

Mr. Holland

Despite the figures that the Minister has quoted, he must be aware that household survey figures seriously underestimate the real incidence of crime, which is up 40 per cent. from 1979, at the time of the outgoing Labour Government. Surely the Minister is also aware of the correlation between rising crime and unemployment, especially in inner city areas. Will he tell the House what measures he will take to improve matters, and what measures the Government intend to take to remedy the underlying causes of crime by bringing jobs back to the inner cities?

Mr. Mellor

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman is prepared to risk his academic reputation by making spurious claims of the kind that he has just advanced. The general household survey and the British crime survey show the existence of the dark figure of crime, that is, crimes which for many years have not been reported. The surveys also show that in certain sensitive crimes, like burglary, the proportion being reported has increased, suggesting that the kind of simplistic comparisons between reported crimes in one year and another made by the Opposition are superficial and not worthy of the breath it takes to utter them.

Mr. Michael Morris

Is my hon. Friend aware that the chief constable of Northamptonshire has said that he will have difficulty in following up minor crimes if his resources are not increased? Will my hon. Friend confirm that it is the duty of the police to investigate every crime that is reported?

Mr. Mellor

It is certainly the duty of the police to investigate every crime. The level of resources that they devote to each crime is a matter for local decision. We are reviewing the strengths of all police forces. There is provision for an increase of 1,000 police officers and civilians in 1986–87, and that is on top of the 13,000 increase in police officers and civilians that has taken place in England and Wales since 1979. I shall ensure that the claims of my hon. Friend's county force are not overlooked.

Mr. Dubs

However one looks at the figures, it is clear that in six years of Conservative Government the crime rate has increased by 1 million a year. The Government have no excuse for that.

Mr. Mellor

I appreciate the Labour party's desperation to win some spoils from law and order. It is depressing that during two Question Times in a row the Opposition should parrot this stuff. I suspect that they would be better occupied taking up the Home Secretary's challenge to devise a policy, rather than leave it to the editorial writers of the Guardian to do it for them.

Mr. Cash

In relation to the questions that have been asked this afternoon about obscenity on television—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am afraid we are past that.