HL Deb 13 July 2004 vol 663 c136WA
Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many criminal offences were in existence in England and Wales in (a) May 1997 and (b) May 2004. [HL3477]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal:

Criminal offences are defined in many statutes both central and local and no attempt is made to keep track of the total number.