§ Major GLYNasked the Home Secretary in how many cases during the 12 months ending 1st March, 1926 and 1925 have Coroners' Courts brought in verdicts of murder; in how many instances have the police effected arrests; and in how many cases have the Courts convicted prisoners?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe latest figures available are for years ended 31st December, 1924 and 1925. They are as follow:
Murder Statistics. Year ended 31st December, 1924. Year ended 31st December, 1925. Inquest verdicts of murder 141 163 Persons proceeded against for murder (from police returns) 76 102 Persons convicted of and sentenced for murder 14 31 Special verdicts of Guilty but Insane 14 24 The inquest verdicts include 36 cases in 1924 said 32 cases in 1925 in which the murderer committed suicide.
The police figures do not show persons as proceeded against for murder if they were convicted only of manslaughter. If two murders were committed by one man, only one man would be shown as proceeded against. The police figures are of cases heard by Courts of Summary Jurisdiction during the year, and the figures of convictions and special verdicts are of cases dealt with at Assizes during the year. Particulars of persons found insane on arraignment are not included.