Murder

HC Deb 19 January 1972 vol 829 cc184-5W

62. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were charged with murder and how many were found guilty in Scottish courts in 1971; and what the comparable figures were in each of the previous 14 years.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

For each of the years from 1957 to 1971, the number of persons charged with murder in the High Court of Justiciary, and the number of persons convicted of murder is as shown in the following table:

	Number of persons charged with murder	Number of persons convicted of murder
1957	7	2
1958	18	5
1959	13	5
1960	27	5
1961	15	4
1962	27	8
1963	13	3
1964	21	9
1965	33	15
1966	50	21
1967	43	26
1968	46	26
1969	52	22
1970	43	22
1971	58	40

27. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the deterrent effect of the existing penalties for murder; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

The Emslie Committee was set up in November, 1970, to consider the penalties for homicide in the light of the abolition of capital punishment. I propose to await its report.

Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many murders were reported to the police in 1971; and what were the comparable figures in each of the previous 10 years.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

The information for 1971 is not yet available. I shall write to my hon. Friend when it is.