§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action he proposes to take to initiate a stronger deterrent against the offence of attempted murder and threats thereof;
(2) whether he is aware that in the Metropolitan Police district during 1971 as compared with 1970 there was a rise of between 10 per cent. and 51 per cent. of offences against the person, wounding and assault, manslaughter and murder; what were the figures nationally; and what action he now proposes to take to stop this increase in offences against the person;
(3) whether he is aware that since 1969 there has been an increase of 26 cases of murder within the Metropolitan Police area in both 1970 and 1971; what were the national figures; and what action he has taken or proposes to take to introduce suitable legislation to act as a deterrent against persons committing murder.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe latest corrected figures for offences of murder known to the police in England and Wales in 1969 and 1970 are, respectively, 119 and 136. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to announce the latest corrected figure for 1971.
The number of indictable offences against the person known to the police in England and Wales was 65,251 in 1970 and 70,657 in 1971, an increase of 8.3 per cent. over the 1970 figure.
My right hon. Friend has on many occasions expressed his concern about the increase in violence of all kinds. The best deterrent in his view remains the likelihood of detection and conviction. Plans to strengthen and modernise the police force are going ahead with considerable success. The Criminal Law Revision Committee is engaged on a review of the law, including penalties, relating to offences against the person.