§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases were issued by his Department in the financial years(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000; how many have been issued in the current financial year; and what his estimate is of the total number for the current financial year. [149247]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 8 February 2001]: The information for my Department is as follows:
Year Home Office Prison Service Forensic Science Service Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation 1996–97 411 78 — — — 1997–98 399 89 16 — — 1998–99 512 93 13 — — 1999–2000 417 78 9 11 1
Current financial year to 6 March 2001 Number Home Office 402 Prison Service 93 Inspectorates 31 It is difficult to estimate the total number of press releases likely to be issued by the end of this financial year but on current projections we would anticipate it to be in excess of 400 for the Home Office, 110 for the Prison Service and 35 on behalf of the Inspectorates.
316Walso shown. The latest figures are an unreliable guide as in a large number of cases court proceedings were still pending as at 11 September 2000 when recording was closed for publication purposes. The outcome may result in some offences being reclassified when final data are available.
Offences of homicide initially recorded by the police and the outcome of those subsequently decided at court: