§ Lord McCluskeyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the fact (recorded in Table 8(b) of the Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland for the year to 31st December 1982 (Cmnd 8953)) that, in respect of crimes involving violence, indecency, dishonesty or malicious and reckless conduct, the "clear up" rates achieved by the Lothians and Borders police force were only half those achieved by the Northern police force suggests (a) that the Lothians and Borders police force are exceptionally incompetent, or (b) that the Northern police force are exceptionally competent, or (c) that the statistics are exceptionally unreliable.
§ Lord Gray of ContinIn comparing statistics of "clear-up" rates, it is necessary to take account of a wide range of factors—for example, the level of recorded crime is generally higher in urban areas and "clear-up" rates correspondingly lower. Variations in the mix of crimes between forces can also result in different "clear-up" rates: some crimes are easier to solve than others. Chief constables recognise the need to standardise recording practice, but I do not believe that variations in such practice support the last of the noble Lord's suggestions.