§ Mr. Patonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state for 1953 and 1954, respectively, the number of murders known to the police; the number of murders in which the suspected murderer committed suicide; the number of murders in which the supposed murderer was found unfit to plead or, on pleading, was found guilty but insane; the number of persons charged with murder and acquitted; the number of persons charged with murder but found guilty on a lesser charge; the number of persons charged with murder, found guilty, and sentenced to death; the number of those sentenced to death who were subsequently found to be insane; the number of those sentenced to death who were reprieved; and the number of those sentenced to death who were executed.
§ Mr. J. StuartIn 1953,21 cases of murder were made known to the police in Scotland, but three were later determined judicially to be cases of culpable homicide. In two cases the suspected murderer committed suicide.
Fifteen persons were proceeded against for murder in 1953; of these three were discharged and not called for trial, five were found to be insane and unfit for trial, three were convicted of culpable homicide and four were convicted of murder. Of the four convicted of murder, 253W one was sentenced to death, but on appeal the conviction was quashed and replaced by a conviction of culpable homicide for which he was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, and three, all under the age of 18 years, were ordered to be detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure.
In 1954, 14 cases of murder were made known to the police in Scotland, but one was later determined judicially to be a case of culpable homicide. No suspected murderer committed suicide.
Nine persons were proceeded against for murder in 1954; of these, three were discharged and not called for trial, one was found to be insane and unfit for trial, two were convicted of culpable homicide and three were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Of the three sentenced to death, one was reprieved and two were executed.