§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list research carried out since 1979 by his Department on any link between unemployment and crime. [20488]
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§ Mr. HowardSince 1979, the following research studies bearing on any link between unemployment and crime have been carried out by my Department
Tarling, R. (1982). "Unemployment and Crime', Home Office Research Bulletin 14.(1983). "Unemployment, Crime and Sentencing: Some Time Series and Cross Sectional Studies for England and Wales', unpublished internal Home Office report.Field, S. (1990). "Trends in Crime and their Interpretation', Home Office research study No. 119.Orme, J. (1994). "A Study of the Relationship between Unemployment and Recorded Crime', Home Office Statistical Findings 1/94.
Name of applicant Nature of allegations and inquiries Length of inquiries to date Total cost to date £ Case 1: Avon and Somerset constabutary Barry Pitcher Disputed forensic and medical evidence. Inquiries included forensic tests and examination of court documents. 84 weeks 5,541.02 Case 2: Lancashire constabulary Dave Berry and Barry Dewhurst Allegations were that other individuals had committed the offence. Inquiries included interviewing all the parties involved. 31 hours 570.04 Case 3: Northumbria police Gary Turner Disputed prosecution evidence including identification evidence. Inquiries covered all the allegations made. 10 days 3,113.02 Case 4: Devon and Cornwall constabulary Brian Parsons Prosecution case alleged to have involved fabrication of evidence; identification evidence also disputed. Inquiries covered all the matters raised. 8 months 122,386.28 Case 5: West Midlands police Anthony Benton Allegations involved alleged new evidence. A full criminal investigation was carried out into all the allegations. 86 weeks 98,610 Case 6: West Midlands police Derek Lee Abraha Allegations that other individuals committed the offence. Inquiries involved interviewing those involved and forensic tests. 14 weeks 18,072 Case 7: Greater Manchester police All Fox Alleged new evidence and fabrication of evidence at trial. Inquiry incolved study of all relevant documents and re-interviewing all witnesses. 67 weeks 192,913 It is not the responsibility of an investigating officer to make recommendations as to what action my right hon. and learned Friend should take on a case. In cases Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 6 my right hon. and learned Friend decided not to refer the case to the Court of Appeal. The remaining cases are still being considered, or are the subject of further inquiries.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research projects or investigations have been undertaken by his Department or on behalf of his Department into the costs of investigating alleged miscarriages of justice, and what conclusions were arrived at. [21036]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerInformation about the present and possible future costs of investigating alleged miscarriages of justice is contained in the explanatory and financial memorandum to the Criminal Appeal Bill. Information about the costs of police inquiries carried out in seven such cases was obtained in a recent survey whose results were reported in my reply to the hon. Member of 20 April,Official Report, column 271.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 April,Official Report, column 271, (1) if he will list the four