§ Mr. Macfarlaneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how-many convictions there have been for murder and manslaughter in each of the years since 1965; what has been the average sentence for each category in each year; and whether any prisoners have been released since 1960 who have committed murder under diminished responsibility.
§ Mr. JohnThe following table gives the information which is available to meet
CONVICTIONS FOR MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER AND CUSTODIAL SENTENCES GIVEN, ENGLAND AND WALES Murder Manslaughter Sentenced under section 53(1) of Children and Young Persons Act 1933 Sentence Found Guilty Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Found Guilty Average custodial sentence‡ (years)§ Life Hospital or Restriction Order 1965 … … 57 40* † 79 3.8 12 25 1966 … … 72 70 † 110 4.7 5 32 1967 … … 63 60 † 95 4.5 11 30 1968 … … 74 68 † 89 4.4 2 36 1969 … … 75 69 † 88 4.2 8 34 1970 … … 97 87 10 109 4.0 12 39 1971 … … 97 87 10 118 4.4 13 41 1972 … … 79 72 † 124 4.3 8 47 1973 … … 90 82 8 127 4.3 11 39 1974 … … 112 105 7 155 4.8 22 33 1975 … … 107 101 6 169 4.3 16 29 * In 1965, 15 people were sentenced to death. † Precise numbers not readily available. ‡ Determinate sentences only. § Excluding those sentenced under section 53(2) of Children and Young Persons Act 1933.