§ 66. Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the levels of criminal violence in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MellorThe most recent figures available for England and Wales were published on 19 December in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 28/84. In the 12 months to the end of September 1984, the police recorded 112,900 offences of violence against the person, 2.4 per cent. more than in the preceding 12 months. Of these, the more serious offences, including homicide, attempted murder, wounding and endangering life, constituted about one in in 20. The restrictions on parole which my right hon. and learned Friend has introduced are intended to ensure that those imprisoned for the most serious offences of violence serve sentences which adequately reflect the gravity of their crimes.
Information regarding other parts of the United Kingdom should be sought from my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland.