§ 21. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes of violence were made known to the police in the first six months 465W of 1974; and by what percentage the figure exceeded or was less than the comparable figure last year and 10 years previously, respectively.
§ Mr Alexander W. LyonIn the first six months of 1974, 29,688 offences of violence against the person were recorded as known to the police in England and Wales; an increase of 3 per cent. compared with the figure for the corresponding period in 1973. The increase by comparison with the first six months of 1964 was 171 per cent.
§ Mr. Cleggasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the increasing number of crimes of violence amongst young people, he will set up a public inquiry into the causes of such violence.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonThe Home Office supports a continuing programme of research into violent criminal behaviour, and the results of this and other studies both in this country and overseas are publicly available. It is difficult to see how a public inquiry could assist.