§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parents have been imprisoned or fined for murder or ill-treatment of their children in the years 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and up to the nearest possible date in 1973.
§ Mr. CarlisleI regret that it is not possible separately to identify, from the criminal statistics as they are at present collected, cases of ill-treatment of children by their parents.
The following table gives the available information in respect of homicide:
PARENTS SENTENCED TO IMMEDIATE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE HOMICIDE OF THEIR CHILDREN, ENGLAND AND WALES, 1969–72 Year Murder Other homicide 1969 4 21 1970 5 22 1971 8 28 1972 4 27 Notes:
1. The year is that in which the offence was recorded as known to the police.
2. The term "parent" includes stepfather, foster parent, adoptive parent and cohabitant of parent.
3. In no case was a fine imposed in these circumstances.