§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many charges were brought in 1982 in respect of cruelty to children; and how the figure compares with that for 1972.
§ Mr. MayhewThe number of persons proceeded against for cruelty to, or neglect of, a child, mainly under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". For 1981 in supplementary tables, Vol. 1, table S 1.1(A) — offence classifications 11 and 109. More serious offences involving the wounding of children cannot be identified separately as they are included within other offence categories. Information published for years before 1979 is on a different basis and cannot be compared directly with that for later years. However, it is estimated that in 1972 about 120 persons were proceeded against for cruelty to children compared with about 110 in 1981. Information for 1982 is not yet available.