§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, by 18 April, his Department was unable to give full and complete details of the crimes and sentences which occurred during the calendar year 1982; why, in view of the existence of the modern aids and computers, he is not able to issue these details sooner; and whether he will ensure a more expeditious manner of dealing with criminal statistics.
§ Mr. MayhewThe preparation of statistical information on court proceedings involves the collection, processing, analysis and presentation of a very large amount of statistical data. Allowing for printing time, it is not feasible to issue the publication before the summer. Figures on notifiable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales in 1982 were published in Home Office statistical bulletin 3/83 issued on 14 March 1983.