§ 88. Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to state for each of the years 1938, 1946, and 1952 the number of cases known to the police of sex offences against children.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeSexual offences known to the police in England and Wales are not in general recorded according to the age of the victim. I give below, however, particulars of the number of offences of unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 13 years of age and of unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl between 13 and 16 years of age known to the police for the years referred to in the Question.
1938 1946 1952 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under thirteen 80 109 199 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl between thirteen and sixteen 477 684 1,127
§ 89. Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the maximum punishments which can be inflicted for sex offences against children are adequate and appropriate.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have no reason to think that the maximum penalties for such offences are not adequate. The majority of sexual offences are triable only on indictment and are punishable with maximum terms of imprisonment ranging from two years to life. The only offences of this character which may be tried summarily with the consent of the accused are indecent assaults when committed against male or female persons under the age of 16 years. The maximum penalty is then six months' imprisonment or a fine of 67W £100, or both. It is open to the court in serious cases of indecent assault to commit the accused for trial at quarter sessions or assizes.