§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the total number of persons convicted of indictable offences in Scotland in the year 1937; how many of these were under 21 years of age, and how many under 16 years of age; and the number of convictions per 100,000 of the age-class between 12 and 21 years?
§ Mr. ColvilleThere is no list of indictable offences in Scotland. The question as to whether a person who commits an offence should be tried on indictment or summarily depends upon the statutory direction, if any, and the discretion of the Lord Advocate, based upon the gravity of the offence and other relevant considerations.
The following statement gives such particulars as are available of the number of persons convicted or found guilty on indictment in the year 1937:
(1) Total number of persons convicted or found guilty 928 (2) Number of persons included under head (1) who were over 17 but under 21 years of age 93 (3) Number of persons included under head (1) who were over 14 but under 17 years of age 16 (4) Number of persons included under head (1) who were under 14 years of age Nil (5) Estimated number of convictions on indictment per 100,000 of the population in the age group between 14 and 21 years 18