§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his answer of 26 June,Official Report, column 574, how many convictions for perjury since 1979 resulted in (a) a custodial sentence, (b) a fine and (c) a conditional discharge; [6426]
(2) pursuant to his answer of 26 June, Official Report, column 574, how many convictions for perjury since 1979 arose from court proceedings in an action for defamation. [6427]
§ Mr. MichaelThe table below shows a breakdown of the number of convictions for perjury offences by type of sentence given.
Court data held centrally by the Home Office do not separately identify actions for defamation.
Number of persons convicted and sentenced1 at all courts for offences of perjury2 by type of disposal, 1979–1995 England and Wales Type of sentence Year Total convicted Total sentenced Conditional discharge Fine Immediate custody 1979 135 135 8 35 47 1980 174 174 11 59 50 1981 145 146 6 36 52 1982 131 133 5 44 55 1983 139 142 12 48 47 1984 186 186 6 54 79 1985 162 159 17 37 55 1986 124 125 3 28 61 1987 167 167 7 68 52 1988 203 204 14 49 77 1989 195 197 11 47 66 1990 160 161 16 42 47 1991 166 166 16 45 51 1992 164 165 26 46 59 1993 150 150 25 36 51 1994 144 144 23 40 55 1995 193 194 15 37 94 1 Includes persons convicted at magistrates' courts but committed for sentence at the Crown Court. Therefore some people may be convicted in one calendar year and sentenced in the next. 2 An offence under the Perjury Act 1911 and Criminal Justice Act 1925 Sec. 36, Criminal Justice Act 1967 Sec. 89, Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act 1969 Sec. 12(2) (in part), Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 Sec. 106, Mental Health Act 1983 Sec. 126(4), County Courts Act 1984 Sec. 133 and Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 Sec. 75.