§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many charges were brought in 1982 in respect of cruelty to animals; and how the figure compares with that for 1972.
§ Mr. MayhewThe number of persons proceeded against in magistrates courts for cruelty to animals is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". For 1981, in supplementary tables, Vol. 1, table S1.1(A) — offence classification 108. Information published for years before 1979 is on a different basis and cannot be directly compared with that for later years.434W However, it is estimated that in 1972 about 690 persons were proceeded against for cruelty to animals compared with about 1,050 in 1981. Information for 1982 is not yet available.