Mr. NicholasBaker asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the average sentence imposed by criminal courts for rape during each of the last five years; and if he will indicate the trend over the same period of the shortest and longest custodial sentences imposed for the offence.
§ Mr. MellorThe readily available information is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables" (for 1984, under classification 19 in vol. 2, tables S2.1(A), S2.3, S2.4 and S2.5). These figures include offences of aiding and abetting rape and attempted rape. Corresponding information for 1985 is not yet available.