HC Deb 06 November 1911 vol 30 cc1443-4W
Mr. SILVESTER

HORNE asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the number of persons killed in prize fights and boxing encounters, or whose deaths were due to injuries so received, in the United Kingdom during the past five years?

Mr. McKENNA

Deaths caused by prize fights and boxing encounters are not separately classed in the Registrar-General's statistics, but are included with street fights, etc., under the general heading, "Fights, Wrestling, etc." The total deaths in England and Wales thus grouped were:—

In 1905 11
In 1906 9
In 1907 8
In 1908 10
In 1909 11

Probably very few of these were deaths at prize fights, as in London during the five years covered by the figures there was only one death in connection with a prize fight. Exact figures for Ireland cannot be given, but I am informed that probably not more than one or two deaths have occurred in that country during the past five years which could be attributed to prize fights or boxing matches.