§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases involving the death of a child there have been since 1993 where neither parent or carer has been charged with either murder or manslaughter because both parents or carers have denied responsibility, but no third party involvement is suspected. [44058]
§ Mr. MichaelThe information requested is not available.
The police are not required to specify the reason why any person suspected of homicide is not charged for statistical purposes. Moreover, they have to supply details of a person initially suspected of a homicide only when that person is arrested or charged with the offence or if a suspect subsequently commits suicide.
The table shows all currently recorded homicides of children (aged under 16) where no conviction had been recorded as at 1 August 1997. All suspects who committed suicide were parents.
223W
All offences currently recorded as homicide where the victim was aged under 16 and no conviction had been recorded as at 1 August 1997 Number of offences Of which, suspect committed suicide 1993 9 4 1994 23 13 1995 26 15 1996 33 14