HC Deb 03 April 1973 vol 854 cc80-1W
Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why statistics on the number of crimes involving the use of firearms are not available for the years before 1967.

Mr. Carlisle

Statistics of indictable offences involving firearms known to the police in England and Wales have been collected for each year since 1961. The available figures for the years before 1967 were included in the Home Office Statistical Division Report, "Firearms in Crime", published in 1970, but these figures include thefts of firearms and do not distinguish offences in which a firearm was actually used.

Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his review of the firearms law has identified reasons why crimes involving the use of firearms have increased by over 150 per cent. over the past five years.

Mr. Carlisle

The causes of crime are complex, and I regret that it is not possible to isolate specific factors which may have led to the increase in crimes involving the use of firearms. It is thought that the increase between 1968 and 1969 was due partly to a change in recording practice.