§ Mr. William Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were killed by the use of firearms in England and Wales during 1980, 1981, and 1982, respectively; of these murders, how many were committed during armed robberies; what weapons were used in each case; and whether the weapons used were legally held, or had been stolen.
§ Mr. MayhewIn a case of homicide it is not possible in the absence of a court decision to distinguish between offences of murder, manslaughter and infanticide. The total number of offences currently recorded as homicide by shooting in 1980 and 1981 is published in table 4.3 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1981"; a separate offence is recorded for each victim of homicide. The number of such offences committed in the course of furtherance of theft and the types of weapon involved is given in the following table. Information for 1982 is not yet available. The other information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
96Wembassies, visiting Heads of State and other similar persons, the costs of such a force to be met wholly from national Exchequer funds and not from local authorities or local ratepayers from the areas where the residences of these public representatives may be situated.
§ Mr. MayhewNo.