§ 3.13 p.m.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government why Criminal Statistics, 1964, were not published until the middle of November, 1965.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, it was originally planned to start computer processing in February, 1964, of information reported by the police from the beginning of the year. Because of a six-months' delay in the delivery of the computer (from May to November, 1963), and consequential adjustments in programming arrangements, it was impossible to begin processing the criminal statistics until August, 1964. The use of new recording forms necessitated by the introduction of the computer and the more refined checks on accuracy which are now possible revealed on this occasion an unusual number of errors, and the need to correct them made it impossible to regain the lost time. Despite these handicaps the statistics were published a month earlier than in 1964. I am glad to say that the teething 1029 troubles are now over, and I have every reason to think that the 1965 Criminal Statistics will be ready for publication much earlier than those for 1964.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, does the noble Lord recollect that until last year these statistics were always published in July? Would it not be better to sell the computer and go back to the old system?
§ LORD STONHAMNo my Lords; the noble Lord is not as accurate as usual. Last year the statistics were published in December; the year before they were published in September, and it is rare for them to be published as early as July, although certainly that is the target we have for next year. But I cannot, of course, be committed. I would remind the noble Lord that, apart from the reasons I gave for this present delay, we are now producing a 280-page book, instead of 150 pages, not because of the increase in the number of crimes but because of a far fuller analysis and because much more information is given about the statistics.