§ Mr. Juddasked the Minister of Transport how many juveniles, and how many adults during each of the past three years, have been convicted of damage to the railways, particularly for offences involving interference or obstruction of track and consequent danger to railway personnel and passengers; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarshI understand from the British Transport Police (who are responsible for police matters on British Railways) that convictions on prosecutions brought by British Transport Police were as follows:
Total number of convictions relating to railways Juveniles Adults 1965 … … 872 271 1966 … … 596 250 1967 … … 706 250
Offences involving endangering the safety of people on the railway and/or interference with tracks Juveniles Adults 1965 … … 153 22 1966 … … 109 25 1967 … … 112 36 Comparable figures for 1968 are not yet available.