§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been involved or killed in hanging incidents since 1950; and what evidence he has, from studies made with the authority of his Department, regarding the effect of television in causing such incidents.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsIn England and Wales 15 children under the age of 15 died from suicide or self-inflicted injury by hanging or strangulation during the years 1950–65. No statistics are available about children involved in non-fatal incidents of this kind.
The Television Research Committee is charged with the initiation and co-ordination of research into the influence of television, particularly on the young, and the matter to which the hon. Member refers is one aspect of this very wide study. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the Committee's first two publications; a third is expected next month. Research of this nature is bound to take a considerable time.