Rape

HC Deb 07 May 1975 vol 891 cc441-3W

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of rape have been reported in each of the last five years.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The number of offences of rape and attempted rape recorded as known to the police in England and Wales in the last five years is as follows:

1970	884
1971	784
1972	893
1973	998
1974	1,052

The available statistics do not distinguish offences of rape from those of attempted rape.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been tried for the crime of rape in each of the past five years; and what was the number convicted.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Figures for 1974 are not yet available. The following table shows for juveniles and for adults—the numbers proceeded against and the numbers found guilty in England and Wales:

	Magistrates' Courts*
	Proceeded against	Persons found guilty
1969	32	24
1970	31	13
1971	29	14
1972	34	20
1973	30	14

	Crown Court
	Persons for trial	Persons found guilty
1969	294	204
1970	362	292
1971	358	255
1972	359	261
1973	433	317
* All those found guilty in magistrates' courts were under 17, although some persons over 17 were proceeded against in magistrates' courts and had their charges withdrawn.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has of women not reporting rape.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I know of no reliable evidence about this occurring in this country.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with other countries on problems connected with the law relating to rape.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

None.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to exclude a man's belief on irresponsible grounds as a defence in cases of alleged rape.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I am studying the House of Lords judgment which my hon. Friend has in mind. I must ask him to await the outcome of that study.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct a review of the law as it relates to rape; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Government are committed to a programme of modernizing and codifying the criminal law, of which a review of the law on sexual offences will form an important part.