§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the gestational age where an unborn baby is regarded as being capable of being born alive in the Infant Life Preservation Act 1929.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe matter is being given careful consideration.
Table A Number of offences and offenders for sexual offences 1985 to 1989—England and Wales Offence Recorded offences Clear-up rate (per cent.) Cautions Prosecutions Convictions 1985 Sexual offences 21,456 72 2,891 7,257 6,010 Consensual homosexual offences (aged 16+) 1— 1— 7 23 30 1986 Sexual offences 22,684 71 2,872 7,068 5,495 Consensual homosexual offences(aged 16+) 1— 1— 3 24 21 1987 Sexual offences 25,154 75 3,208 8,298 6,231 Consensual homosexual offences(aged 16+) 1— 1— 1— 21 13 1988 Sexual offences 26,529 75 3,577 9,547 7,154 Consensual homosexual offences(aged 16+) 1— 1— 1— 17 23 1989 Sexual offences 29,733 75 3,475 9,967 7,254 Consensual homosexual offences(aged 16+) 1— 1— 8 8 17 1 Unavailable.
Table B Percentage change in numbers of offences and offenders for sexual offences 1985 to 1989—England and Wales Offence Recorded offences Clear-up rate2 Cautions Prosecutions Convictions 1985–86 Sexual offences +6 -1 -1 -3 -9 Consensual homosexual offences(aged 16+) 1— 1— 3-57 3+4 3-30 1986–87 Sexual offences +11 +4 +12 +17 +13 Consensual homosexual offences(aged 16+) 1— 1— 1— 3-13 3-38 1987–88 Sexual offences +5 0 +12 +15 +15 Consensual homosexual offences(aged 16+) 1— 1— 1— 3-19 3+77