§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders were committed in the United Kingdom in 1989; in connection with how many of these arrests have been made or convictions secured; and if he will give the comparable figures for 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1980.
§ Mr. John PattenThe data for homicides in England and Wales is given below. Equivalent figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are published by the Scottish Home and Health Department and by the Northern Ireland Office.
In the absence of a court decision it is not always possible to distinguish between offences of murder, manslaughter and infanticide; they are known collectively as homicide.
Homicides recorded and cleared up in selected years Year Homicides recorded Cleared up1 Per cent. 1950 346 328 95 1960 282 270 96 1970 393 369 94 1980 620 600 97 1988 624 601 96 21989 641 589 92 1 Mainly by suspect being arrested. 2 Provisional Sources:
Criminal statistics, England and Wales Statistical Bulletin 10/90.