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Commission in May 1988. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received no representations specifically concerning employment matters at Nestle since the merger.

Fuel Bills

Mr. Jacques Arnold: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many customers have been disconnected by British Gas for non-payment of bills in the most recent year for which he has figures; and what was the figure in the last year before privatisation.

Mr. Heseltine: The number of disconnections by British Gas for non- payment of bills for the year to the end of June 1994 was 15,420. This compares with 42,468 disconnections in the year to the end of September 1986.

Mr. Jacques Arnold: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many customers have been disconnected by regional electricity companies for non-payment of bills in the most recent year for which he has figures; and what were the figures in the last year before privatisation.

Mr. Heseltine: Disconnection figures are kept by the Office of Electricity Regulation. However, I can confirm that 3,297 electricity customers were disconnected by regional electricity companies in 1993--the lowest number on record. In comparison, 67,421 customers were disconnected in the 12 months to 31 March 1990.

Mr. Jacques Arnold: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how prices, including VAT, for domestic consumers of electricity have changed in (a) the past 10 years and (b) the past two years.

Mr. Heseltine: Between the third quarter of 1984 and the third quarter of 1994, prices of electricity, including VAT, for the domestic consumer have increased by 54.7 per cent. in cash terms and fallen by 4.7 per cent. in real terms. Between the third quarter of 1992 and the third quarter of 1994, prices have increased by 4.2 per cent. in cash terms and fallen by 1.1 per cent. in real terms. These price trends are published regularly in the Department of Trade and Industry's statistical bulletin, "Energy Trends", table 28.

Mr. Jacques Arnold: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how prices, including VAT, for domestic consumers of gas have changed in (a) the past 10 years and (b) the past two years.

Mr. Heseltine: Between the third quarter of 1984 and the third quarter of 1994, prices of gas, including VAT for the domestic consumer, have increased by 30 per cent. in cash terms and fallen by 20 per cent. in real terms. Between the third quarter of 1992 and the third quarter of 1994, prices have increased by 4 per cent. in cash terms and fallen by 1.3 per cent. in real terms. These price trends are published regularly in the Department of Trade and Industry's statistical bulletin, "Energy Trends", table 28.

Regional Assistance

Mr. Hutton: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 1 December Official Report, column 809 what was the number of successful applications for regional selective assistance in each development and intermediate area in the north-west.


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Mr. Eggar: The information is given in the table:


                          |Number of offers                       

                          |made                                   

Travel to work area       |(1 April 1993- 1                       

                          |March 1994)                            

------------------------------------------------------------------

Accrington and Rossendale |21                                     

Barrow-in-Furness         |12                                     

Blackburn                 |22                                     

Bolton and Bury           |40                                     

Liverpool                 |63                                     

Manchester                |73                                     

Oldham                    |18                                     

Rochdale                  |19                                     

Sheffield                 |1                                      

Whitehaven                |1                                      

Widnes and Runcorn        |15                                     

Wigan and St. Helens      |38                                     

Wirral and Chester        |26                                     

Workington                |14                                     

                          |--------                               

Total                     |363                                    

Mr. Hutton: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful applications for regional selective assistance in each development and intermediate area in London and the Eastern region for the latest period for which figures are available.

Mr. Eggar: The information is given in the table for London, the south-east and eastern regions.


Travel to work area         |Offers made<1>     |Applications                           

                                                |rejected<1>                            

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clacton                     |3                  |1                                      

Great Yarmouth              |3                  |2                                      

Harwich                     |1                  |0                                      

Wisbech                     |4                  |0                                      

Heathrow                    |3                  |0                                      

London                      |3                  |0                                      

Dover and Deal              |1                  |0                                      

Folkestone                  |3                  |1                                      

Hastings                    |2                  |0                                      

Isle of Wight               |7                  |0                                      

Sittingbourne and Sheerness |7                  |0                                      

Thanet                      |3                  |0                                      

                            |--------           |--------                               

Total                       |40                 |4                                      

<1> 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994                                                       

Special Advisers

Mr. Milburn: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the special advisers employed by his Department in each of the last five years indicating when they (a) joined and (b) left his Department and the annual salary they received.

Mr. Heseltine [holding answer 1 December 1994]: Salaries for special advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings, and are confidential. They are, however, normally paid on a special advisers' salary spine of 34 points, ranging from £19,503 to £67,609. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.

I also seek advice from time to time on an unpaid and informal basis from Sir Peter Levene.


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Hallmarking

Mr. Maclennan: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to European Union proposals affecting the hallmarking of silver; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ian Taylor [holding answer 2 December 1994]: In negotiations on the proposed European Union directive, the Government continue to argue for the preservation of traditional third-party hallmarking arrangements for precious metals, including silver. The Government are opposed to the principle of manufacturers' marking, which would also be allowed under the directive as drafted.

Nursery Furnishings

Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he took to verify that toxic fire retardant chemicals used in nursery furniture were not harmful to babies before the regulations came into force;

(2) what tests Government laboratories undertook on the toxicity of fire resistant chemicals in nursery furniture, and their likely effect on babies prior to the introduction of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

Mr. Ian Taylor [holding answer 25 November 1994]: The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, do not require the use of specific fire retardants. The regulations are made in terms of a series of ignition resistance tests for different furniture components. Under section 10--the general safety requirements--of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to use materials which are reasonably safe having regard to the circumstances of their use. However, before introducing the regulations the Department ascertained both from industrial research and advice from the Department of Health that there was a number of safe ways in which manufacturers could comply with the regulations.

Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what tests DTI laboratories are currently carrying out on the toxicity of cot mattresses.

Mr. Ian Taylor [holding answer 25 November 1994]: The theory that flame retardants in cot mattresses and covers released noxious gases, and that this caused sudden infant death syndrome, was thoroughly investigated by an expert working group set up by the chief medical officer of health in 1990. The working group concluded that this theory was not supported by the evidence and a copy of its report--the Turner report--has been placed in the Library of the House.

The chief medical officer of health has recently set up another working group of experts to study the questions which were raised by research contained in the Rubens Institute study. The Department will closely follow their deliberations.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Internet

Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee if he will make it his policy to enable hon. Members who use the parliamentary data and


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video network to have access via the Internet to the United Kingdom Government world wide web server known as "open.gov.uk."

Mr. Waller: The Information Committee is shortly to consider the possibility of enabling Members who use the parliamentary data and video network to have access via the Internet to the United Kingdom Government world wide web server known as "open.gov.uk". The Committee will need to satisfy itself that there can be adequate safeguards of the parliamentary data and video network and hence of hon. Members' computer systems. Any proposals for additional expenditure will also need to be considered by the Finance and Services Committee as appropriate.

Old Palace Yard

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is his latest estimate of he total cost of the works taking place at7 Old Palace Yard; and what is its future planned use.

Mr. Ray Powell: In return for allocating its planned accommodation in 7 Millbank to this House, the other place has assumed control of 6 and 7 Old Palace Yard. The cost of works and the future use of the building are matters for that House.

ENVIRONMENT

Rent-to-mortgage Scheme

Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many local authority properties in each local authority have been sold under the rent-to-mortgage scheme.

Mr. Robert B. Jones: So far, local authorities in England have reported two completed rent-to-mortgage sales. One sale took place in east Devon and the other in the City of London. About 40 applications are still being processed.

Wolves and Hybrid Wolves

Ms Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many import permits were issued for (a) wolves and (b) hybrid wolves entering the United Kingdom for each of the last four years; and what was the total number of (i) wolves and (ii) hybrid wolves involved.

Sir Paul Beresford: In 1991, my Department issued one permit under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora--CITES--allowing the import, by a zoo, of two grey wolves, canis lupis occidentalis, from Canada for breeding purposes.

Zoos

Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to discuss the effectiveness of the Zoo Licensing Act 1984.

Sir Paul Beresford: On 4 October 1994, officials from my Department chaired a meeting of the Department's standing advisory group, which includes senior


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representatives of the Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland. The meeting considered a number of issues relating to the operation and management of zoos in the United Kingdom.

Radioactive Waste

Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish a White Paper before introducing legislation based on proposals contained in the consultation paper, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions".

Mr. Atkins: The only specific proposals for legislative change were those in paragraph 194 of the consultation document, relating to the regulatory powers of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The necessary amendments to the Radioactive Substance Act 1993 have been included in the Environment Bill, which received its First Reading on Thursday 1 December in another place.

Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his timetable for acting upon recommendations contained in the consultation document, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions".

Mr. Atkins: A statement of future policy will be made in due course.

Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether local authorities, the Local Authorities Waste Disposal Contractors Association or private owners of refuse tips will have the right to refuse radioactive waste from authorised disposers under proposals contained in the consultation document, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions".

Mr. Atkins: Under section 18 of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, local authorities have a duty to accept radioactive waste for controlled burial if the regulatory bodies authorise disposal to sites provided by them. The consultation document contained no proposals to alter or extend this duty.

Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the differences between proposals contained in the consultation document, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions", with regard to the disposal of radioactive waste from the nuclear industry, and the proposals considered in 1987 for the disposal of such waste at four sites; and what considerations underlay the decision to withdraw the 1987 proposals.

Mr. Atkins: The four sites referred to were investigated by UK Nirex Ltd. to ascertain their suitability for the development of a shallow repository for radioactive waste. The consultation document's proposals in relation to near-surface disposal concern British Nuclear Fuels' existing facility at Drigg in Cumbria and the controlled burial of low-level waste in landfill sites. The decision by Nirex to end its investigations in 1987 is a matter for the company.

Water Metering

Mr. Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the financial costs of


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undertaking trials with compulsory water metering organised by his Department and Ofwat; what has been (a) the amount and (b) the proportion of the costs met from public funds and water charges; and what other trials with alternative water sewerage charging systems have been sponsored or supported by his Department.

Mr. Atkins: The national metering trials cost £19 million. The Department of the Environment funded just under half this amount. The water companies involved funded the rest. There are no proposals to undertake trials on other alternative charging methods.

Mrs. Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the Director General of Ofwat's statement that 33 per cent. of domestic households will be metered by 2015.

Mr. Atkins: The Director General's forecast assumes the continuation of metering on a selective or voluntary basis. Metering encourages customers to avoid waste and would therefore contribute to the sustainable use of water in the longer term. It encourages action to reduce leakage and excessive water abstraction. It would reduce the need to build costly and environmentally intrusive reservoirs. The Director General estimates that metering, leakage reduction and reduced demand from industry should limit demand for water in 2015 to the present level.

Water and Sewerage Services

Mrs. Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what best estimates the ratio between fixed and variable costs in the water industry were the K factors for water supply determined in the 1994 periodic review, both in general and for each company;

(2) on what best estimate of the ratio between fixed and variable costs were the K factors for the delivery of a sewerage service determined in the 1994 periodic review, both in general and for each company.

Mr. Atkins: This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services.

Toxic Materials

Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what precautions are being taken to protect local populations from possible emissions from sites being used for experimental work on the use of toxic materials as fuels, following the United States Environmental Protection Agency's recent report on the toxicity of very low level dioxins and in particular their effect on foetal development.

Mr. Atkins: I announced Government policy on the burning of substitute fuels in kilns on 23 June 1994, Official Report, column 261-2. Strict conditions of compliance with agreed trials schedules, progress reports, control procedures and continuous monitoring have been put in place. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is responsible for protecting the environment under the terms of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and has been closely supervising these tests.

Results obtained so far indicate no cause for concern. The emissions of dioxins and heavy metals are well within the limits that HMIP will impose on incinerators. Milk monitoring by MAFF for dioxins has indicated no ill effects from the burning of Cemfuel.


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HMIP is keeping a close watch on the emissions from the trials and will shut them down if the environment is being damaged.

Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what EC waste regulation procedures apply to the sites which are currently being used for experimental work on the use of toxic materials as fuels.

Mr. Atkins: To the extent that these materials are judged to constitute waste, the relevant requirements of Council directive 75/442/EEC on waste, as amended by 91/156/EEC, will apply. Plants for the production of cement and rotary kiln lime production are categories of process subject to the Council directive 84/360/EEC on the combating of air pollution from industrial plants.

Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites are currently being used for experimental work on the use of toxic materials including chloro-cresol as fuels; and if he will list existing and proposed sites, their exact locality and the chemicals involved.

Mr. Atkins: The only plant undertaking trials with substitute fuel whose specification contains chloro-cresol is Redland Aggregate's plant at Thrislington, West Cornforth, Ferryhill, County Durham.

Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment under what regulations and monitoring procedures the sites currently being used for experimental work on the use of toxic materials as fuels are operating.

Mr. Atkins: Environmental protection control in England and Wales is effected by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the terms of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Trials of the substitute fuels in kilns are being carried out under this Act. In carrying out the trials the operators must comply with the following monitoring requirements.

Before trials commence, satisfactory data on baseline operations must be provided to HMIP. This must include not only emission data but also kiln operating characteristics.

Only those substitute fuels that meet a specification agreed in advance with HMIP may be used. All deliveries must meet the specification.

Continuous monitors for particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and oxygen, calibrated to HMIP satisfaction must be installed.

Manual sampling and analysis of other pollutants such as heavy metals and dioxins must be provided.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Yvonne Sleightholme

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will carry out the recommendations made by Judge Stephen Tumim in respect of Yvonne Sleightholme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 6 December 1994:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the recommendations made by Judge Stephen Tumin


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in respect of Yvonne Sleightholme in the report of his short inspection of Durham in September 1992.

Miss Sleightholme was convicted of the murder of her former fiance's wife and sentenced to life imprisonment in May 1991. She had an unsuccessful appeal against her conviction in January 1992. She is currently serving her sentence on the female wing of Durham prison. Following her arrest Miss Sleightholme became blind and in his report Judge Tumim commented on the justification for holding her at Durham and suggested that a transfer to Askham Grange open prison in York would make visiting easier for her elderly parents.

As a life sentence prisoner Miss Sleightholme will not be considered for a transfer to an open prison until her first formal review by the Parole Board. This review is not until September 1997 when she will have been detained for seven years. It will then be the Parole's duty to decide what risk she presents to the public and whether she is suitable to be transferred to an open prison. This decision will be based on the reports submitted on Miss Sleightholme during her time in prison, written by staff who will have been able to assess her risk over a prolonged period through a series of interviews, review boards and outside activities.

Despite Miss Sleightholme's blindness there is certainly no prospect of her being moved to an open prison in the foreseeable future. While it could be argued that it is unlikely that a blind person would be able to escape, even from an open prison, Miss Sleightholme is known to have many supporters who believe she is innocent and it is conceivable that they could assist her. I also understand that there remains considerable animosity towards Miss Sleightholme within the victim's community. As far as her own safety is concerned, it would therefore probably not be in her best


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interests to be moved to an open prison close to her home area so soon after the offence was committed.

Durham continues to be the most appropriate establishment for Miss Sleightholme not because of the security of the prison but because of the more enclosed and protective environment it offers. Durham provides safer surroundings for a blind person and Miss Sleightholme is receiving professional training in mobility and rehabilitation. It also has prison staff with the training and experience to help a life sentence prisoner through the early stages of their sentence.

Miss Sleightholme has been offered the opportunity to be transferred to New Hall prison near Wakefield to be closer to her home area. However, she remains reluctant to go there as she feels the establishment is too dispersed. She has asked to remain at Durham until the Parole Board have recommended her transfer to open prison and will have the opportunity to extend her mobility training outside the prison as her review approaches.

Police

Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the annual budget and the number of police officers for each police authority in each year since 1970.

Mr. Maclean: The table gives information from 1978 79 for each police authority's expenditure and the number of officers for each force as at 31 March. Details for 1970 to 1978 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.


Police Expenditure and Strength since 1980                                                                    

£ thousands                                                                                                   

                    |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength           

Force               |1978-79  |1978-79  |1979-1980|1979-80  |1980-81  |1980-81  |1981-82  |1981-82            

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avon and Somerset   |26,266   |2,825    |33,984   |2,892    |40,187   |2,953    |48,099   |3,011              

Bedfordshire        |9,298    |902      |12,087   |943      |14,537   |961      |16,909   |984                

Cambridgeshire      |10,183   |1,064    |13,556   |1,081    |15,370   |1,091    |18,088   |1,131              

Cheshire            |16,130   |1,778    |20,242   |1,789    |25,839   |1,839    |29,724   |1,847              

City of London      |10,405   |829      |12,528   |840      |15,747   |846      |17,739   |855                

Cleveland           |12,589   |1,334    |13,453   |1,420    |19,098   |1,478    |23,188   |1,474              

Cumbria             |9,310    |1,056    |13,071   |1,093    |15,013   |1,108    |17,014   |1,121              

Derbyshire          |16,635   |1,563    |20,825   |1,793    |25,747   |1,821    |29,429   |1,776              

Devon and Cornwall  |25,313   |2,660    |36,158   |2,651    |39,566   |2,720    |46,539   |2,713              

Dorset              |10,706   |1,128    |15,024   |1,154    |16,908   |1,169    |19,323   |1,166              

Durham              |12,805   |1,312    |16,464   |1,324    |18,689   |1,334    |20,870   |1,342              

Dyfed-Powys         |7,615    |910      |10,016   |926      |11,698   |932      |13,709   |920                

Essex               |21,554   |2,461    |30,034   |2,567    |36,413   |2,596    |41,825   |2,631              

Gloucestershire     |9,073    |1,076    |11,401   |1,105    |14,178   |1,123    |16,267   |1,129              

Greater Manchester  |61,431   |6,419    |78,914   |6,713    |94,541   |6,929    |111,678  |6,957              

Gwent               |8,511    |965      |10,971   |967      |12,826   |972      |15,014   |964                

Hampshire           |27,361   |2,949    |36,187   |3,039    |40,580   |3,052    |48,798   |3,062              

Hertfordshire       |14,747   |1,462    |18,564   |1,487    |21,859   |1,534    |25,497   |1,559              

Humberside          |18,177   |1,849    |23,293   |1,917    |27,780   |1,954    |32,384   |1,947              

Kent                |27,048   |2,724    |34,910   |2,863    |41,732   |2,862    |48,830   |2,862              

Lancashire          |27,482   |3,097    |37,289   |3,100    |43,544   |3,154    |50,924   |3,152              

Leicestershire      |15,652   |1,701    |20,444   |1,702    |22,886   |1,717    |27,538   |1,728              

Lincolnshire        |11,870   |1,171    |14,803   |1,176    |16,964   |1,179    |19,972   |1,179              

Merseyside          |41,306   |4,427    |56,102   |4,525    |65,823   |4,597    |78,120   |4,631              

Norfolk             |11,194   |1,223    |14,187   |1,249    |16,709   |1,246    |19,904   |1,268              

Northamptonshire    |8,976    |905      |11,279   |920      |13,588   |982      |15,991   |1,006              

Northumbria         |30,694   |3,272    |39,727   |3,317    |45,341   |3,339    |53,592   |3,329              

North Wales         |11,672   |1,268    |15,362   |1,275    |17,233   |1,293    |20,060   |1,286              

North Yorkshire     |12,544   |1,342    |17,066   |1,352    |19,586   |1,355    |22,685   |1,354              

Nottinghamshire     |19,811   |2,117    |29,020   |2,145    |29,644   |2,241    |35,953   |2,252              

South Wales         |26,219   |2,936    |35,086   |3,056    |41,527   |3,065    |49,634   |3,103              

South Yorkshire     |24,470   |2,546    |32,134   |2,704    |38,511   |2,865    |44,973   |2,868              

Staffordshire       |18,328   |1,978    |22,955   |2,051    |27,887   |2,096    |32,304   |2,086              

Suffolk             |11,060   |1,064    |13,952   |1,130    |16,643   |1,119    |19,478   |1,120              

Surrey              |14,249   |1,440    |18,534   |1,512    |21,785   |1,586    |25,581   |1,587              

Sussex              |25,153   |2,758    |33,118   |2,782    |37,572   |2,820    |43,746   |2,829              

Thames Valley       |27,646   |2,639    |35,967   |2,802    |43,458   |3,093    |50,747   |3,098              

Warwickshire        |7,839    |841      |10,427   |895      |12,599   |915      |14,957   |922                

West Mercia         |16,478   |1,743    |21,812   |1,847    |25,626   |1,925    |31,058   |1,926              

West Midlands       |56,096   |5,981    |74,446   |6,243    |87,014   |6,549    |102,556  |6,679              

West Yorkshire      |44,131   |4,727    |57,909   |4,805    |68,645   |5,084    |77,773   |5,147              

Wiltshire           |8,952    |997      |11,309   |1,002    |13,689   |1,030    |16,342   |1,040              

Metropolitan Police |296,881  |22,214   |381,673  |22,804   |452,730  |24,006   |552,224  |25,429             


Police Expenditure and Strength since 1980                                                                    

£ thousands                                                                                                   

                    |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength           

Force               |1982-83  |1982-83  |1983-1984|1983-84  |1984-85  |1984-85  |1985-86  |1985-86            

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avon and Somerset   |53,642   |2,970    |56,860   |2,997    |61,191   |2,982    |65,919   |2,958              

Bedfordshire        |18,637   |985      |20,202   |1,006    |21,893   |990      |22,278   |985                

Cambridgeshire      |20,201   |1,137    |21,902   |1,138    |24,252   |1,137    |26,832   |1,136              

Cheshire            |32,299   |1,839    |35,283   |1,830    |37,123   |1,799    |37,755   |1,806              

City of London      |19,791   |828      |21,179   |806      |22,646   |789      |24,396   |774                

Cleveland           |25,718   |1,454    |27,993   |1,470    |29,468   |1,446    |31,029   |1,470              

Cumbria             |19,338   |1,107    |21,098   |1,114    |21,996   |1,092    |25,769   |1,127              

Derbyshire          | 33,601  |1,757    |35,593   |1,772    |58,084   |1,752    |40,154   |1,753              

Devon and Cornwall  |51,413   |2,730    |55,810   |2,724    |60,118   |2,722    |64,862   |2,739              

Dorset              |21,743   |1,174    |24,502   |1,175    |26,344   |1,160    |29,418   |1,199              

Durham              |23,882   |1,328    |26,456   |1,302    |35,647   |1,279    |28,150   |1,293              

Dyfed-Powys         |15,052   |927      |16,301   |921      |19,134   |910      |18,813   |930                

Essex               |45,843   |2,641    |51,218   |2,624    |55,150   |2,650    |57,904   |2,666              

Gloucestershire     |18,282   |1,137    |20,331   |1,143    |22,398   |1,132    |23,320   |1,146              

Greater Manchester  |124,367  |6,996    |128,994  |6,917    |138,094  |6,736    |147,491  |6,768              

Gwent               |16,379   |963      |18,455   |962      |20,120   |964      |20,619   |978                

Hampshire           |55,261   |3,075    |59,333   |3,073    |62,962   |3,057    |68,241   |3,062              

Hertfordshire       |28,371   |1,554    |30,325   |1,562    |32,703   |1,562    |34,572   |1,565              

Humberside          |37,196   |1,965    |38,736   |1,961    |59,701   |1,913    |43,976   |1,933              

Kent                |53,688   |2,882    |58,170   |2,829    |75,696   |2,833    |66,276   |2,870              

Lancashire          |55,798   |3,155    |60,062   |3,128    |65,008   |3,029    |66,740   |3,021              

Leicestershire      |30,829   |1,723    |36,603   |1,729    |48,047   |1,695    |37,382   |1,737              

Lincolnshire        |21,879   |1,178    |22,761   |1,182    |23,562   |1,146    |25,594   |1,139              

Merseyside          |85,488   |4,631    |92,766   |4,603    |101,430  |4,588    |103,660  |4,543              

Norfolk             |22,292   |1,261    |24,428   |1,268    |26,161   |1,248    |27,628   |1,263              

Northamptonshire    |18,652   |1,003    |20,608   |1,019    |24,345   |1,015    |23,450   |1,025              

Northumbria         |61,413   |3,325    |65,907   |3,349    |76,618   |3,295    |78,227   |3,357              

North Wales         |22,314   |1,296    |25,200   |1,290    |27,838   |1,271    |27,567   |1,253              

North Yorkshire     |25,912   |1,366    |26,952   |1,359    |41,355   |1,332    |29,410   |1,361              

Nottinghamshire     |41,139   |2,249    |47,464   |2,229    |90,852   |2,150    |47,427   |2,210              

South Wales         |55,399   |3,091    |59,667   |3,071    |66,756   |3,073    |68,001   |3,066              

South Yorkshire     |51,215   |2,863    |56,295   |2,860    |86,208   |2,866    |63,589   |2,848              

Staffordshire       |36,679   |2,080    |39,519   |2,090    |43,328   |2,066    |44,521   |2,087              

Suffolk             |21,375   |1,123    |22,770   |1,123    |24,335   |1,129    |26,836   |1,121              

Surrey              |27,978   |1,589    |30,269   |1,582    |32,312   |1,590    |34,673   |1,614              

Sussex              |50,905   |2,810    |52,030   |2,800    |56,261   |2,803    |57,617   |2,790              

Thames Valley       |56,747   |3,123    |64,274   |3,176    |68,839   |3,259    |75,787   |3,297              

Warwickshire        |16,607   |919      |17,903   |910      |29,906   |921      |21,922   |929                

West Mercia         |35,622   |1,916    |38,613   |1,920    |41,578   |1,919    |43,851   |1,939              

West Midlands       |112,962  |6,673    |121,870  |6,679    |129,488  |6,544    |141,015  |6,520              

West Yorkshire      |88,548   |5,145    |94,912   |5,109    |109,004  |4,991    |106,412  |5,145              

Wiltshire           |17,856   |1,029    |19,628   |1,035    |21,757   |1,034    |23,270   |1,043              

Metropolitan Police |718,458  |26,499   |795,376  |26,706   |861,052  |26,751   |748,660  |26,813             


Police Expenditure and Strength since 1980                                                                    

£ thousands                                                                                                   

                    |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength           

Force               |1986-87  |1986-87  |1987-1988|1987-88  |1988-89  |1988-89  |1989-90  |1989-90            

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avon and Somerset   |70,292   |3,009    |76,356   |3,013    |83,093   |3,014    |95,221   |3,094              

Bedfordshire        |24,085   |984      |26,507   |999      |29,011   |1,025    |32,079   |1,050              

Cambridgeshire      |27,661   |1,142    |30,675   |1,171    |33,312   |1,187    |38,444   |1,193              

Cheshire            |43,386   |1,830    |47,201   |1,837    |49,327   |1,879    |57,810   |1,870              

City of London      | 26,549  |771      |28,222   |787      |30,891   |801      |35,285   |799                

Cleveland           |35,131   |1,462    |38,836   |1,466    |42,613   |1,470    |46,995   |1,467              

Cumbria             |27,055   |1,118    |29,810   |1,141    |32,320   |1,135    |35,858   |1,166              

Derbyshire          | 43,105  |1,777    |48,502   |1,790    |51,652   |1,784    |58,972   |1,795              

Devon and Cornwall  |73,315   |2,774    |76,630   |2,787    |85,227   |2,849    |93,697   |2,852              

Dorset              |33,140   |1,202    |34,195   |1,234    |38,058   |1,251    |42,908   |1,269              

Durham              |31,020   |1,307    |34,,182  |1,329    |36,841   |1,351    |41,893   |1,375              

Dyfed-Powys         |20,699   |932      |23,831   |917      |25,293   |931      |29,522   |935                

Essex               |65,161   |2,718    |73,266   |2,728    |78,974   |2,746    |92,207   |2,822              

Gloucestershire     |25,187   |1,152    |28,035   |1,153    |31,071   |1,166    |36,299   |1,170              

Greater Manchester  |160,950  |6,780    |174,925  |6,965    |189,973  |6,935    |213,529  |6,992              

Gwent               |22,213   |973      |24,096   |979      |27,170   |996      |30,444   |1,008              

Hampshire           |75,583   |3,098    |82,274   |3,103    |91,177   |3,167    |100,459  |3,154              

Hertfordshire       |38,428   |1,579    |40,851   |1,603    |47,394   |1,638    |51,968   |1,657              

Humberside          |48,175   |1,964    |52,566   |1,953    |58,417   |1,992    |63,700   |1,995              

Kent                |70,993   |2,879    |78,338   |2,908    |89,907   |2,985    |98,455   |2,984              

Lancashire          |73,268   |3,314    |84,703   |3,139    |88,410   |3,177    |99,392   |3,201              

Leicestershire      |41,811   |1,712    |45,464   |1,735    |49,660   |1,745    |57,279   |1,769              

Lincolnshire        |27,964   |1,173    |30,242   |1,168    |34,108   |1,194    |37,548   |1,188              

Merseyside          |113,410  |4,598    |121,405  |4,647    |133,864  |4,689    |147,251  |4,714              

Norfolk             |31,135   |1,312    |33,806   |1,308    |37,817   |1,340    |42,875   |1,363              

Northamptonshire    |26,508   |1,047    |28,953   |1,093    |32,928   |1,095    |37,553   |1,126              

Northumbria         |85,207   |3,402    |92,058   |3,467    |98,274   |3,508    |110,667  |3,529              

North Wales         |30,257   |1,286    |32,961   |1,300    |36,812   |1,327    |41,084   |1,337              

North Yorkshire     |32,625   |1,353    |34,785   |1,372    |40,650   |1,370    |43,887   |1,379              

Nottinghamshire     |53,428   |2,226    |55,547   |2,252    |60,048   |2,298    |68,609   |2,316              

South Wales         |72,723   |3,100    |78,957   |3,126    |86,312   |3,102    |97,275   |3,135              

South Yorkshire     |66,255   |2,862    |73,135   |2,912    |80,007   |2,940    |91,700   |2,923              

Staffordshire       |49,111   |2,113    |53,772   |2,135    |59,282   |2,164    |65,688   |2,187              

Suffolk             |28,972   |1,166    |30,787   |1,188    |34,912   |1,181    |40,113   |1,194              

Surrey              |37,804   |1,609    |41,221   |1,649    |45,755   |1,636    |52,623   |1,645              

Sussex              |64,897   |2,830    |68,290   |2,894    |78,147   |2,946    |84,408   |2,949              

Thames Valley       |85,349   |3,421    |95,496   |3,490    |104,334  |3,600    |119,989  |3,659              

Warwickshire        |22,867   |965      |25,399   |979      |27,803   |969      |31,761   |975                

West Mercia         |47,219   |1,929    |51,616   |1,946    |55,443   |1,948    |62,268   |1,991              

West Midlands       |151,675  |6,656    |166,971  |6,639    |185,032  |6,761    |206,518  |6,855              

West Yorkshire      |115,178  |5,142    |129,109  |5,184    |149,384  |5,278    |167,025  |5,260              

Wiltshire           |25,998   |1,044    |28,074   |1,095    |30,904   |1,101    |35,676   |1,130              

Metropolitan Police |810,228  |26,890   |879,803  |27,688   |965,151  |28,058   |1,076,767|28,362             


Column 139


Police Expenditure and Strength since 1980                                                                    

£ thousands                                                                                                   

                    |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength |Expend   |Strength           

Force               |1990-91  |1990-91  |1991-92  |1991-92  |1992-93  |1992-93  |1993-94  |1993-94            

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avon and Somerset   |102,351  |3,092    |111,509  |3,081    |124,322  |3,068    |132,421  |3,033              

Bedfordshire        |35,599   |1,105    |39,212   |1,093    |44,210   |1,168    |47,958   |1,151              

Cambridgeshire      |42,364   |1,201    |47,116   |1,250    |50,027   |1,265    |55,776   |1,263              

Cheshire            |62,370   |1,895    |66,960   |1,874    |72,966   |1,908    |79,593   |1,902              

City of London      |37,074   |813      |40,820   |808      |44,246   |825      |49,858   |893                

Cleveland           |51,560   |1,489    |54,802   |1,477    |59,802   |1,478    |63,156   |1,429              

Cumbria             |39,961   |1,184    |45,080   |1,179    |49,501   |1,196    |51,698   |1,174              

Derbyshire          | 61,261  |1,741    |66,048   |1,706    |75,750   |1,830    |78,207   |1,820              

Devon and Cornwall  |105,660  |2,873    |117,436  |2,898    |128,271  |2,910    |136,654  |2,914              

Dorset              |49,024   |1,281    |52,006   |1,289    |55,644   |1,302    |57,564   |1,297              

Durham              |44,964   |1,368    |48,589   |1,389    |53,226   |1,381    |57,065   |1,383              

Dyfed-Powys         |30,878   |935      |35,150   |947      |38,896   |967      |41,518   |965                

Essex               |104,703  |2,889    |115,540  |2,898    |125,833  |2,936    |134,545  |2,937              

Gloucestershire     |40,236   |1,162    |44,611   |1,174    |48,067   |1,149    |50,295   |1,159              

Greater Manchester  |228,550  |7,014    |248,813  |7,061    |272,190  |7,060    |296,016  |6,967              

Gwent               |33,286   |999      |36,682   |1,009    |38,965   |1,004    |41,406   |993                

Hampshire           |111,152  |3,179    |124,970  |3,211    |135,434  |3,275    |143,157  |3,270              

Hertfordshire       |58,743   |1,666    |62,868   |1,965    |68,523   |1,700    |72,520   |1,682              

Humberside          |69,697   |1,998    |77,396   |2,026    |84,119   |2,032    |88,934   |2,039              

Kent                |109,013  |3,005    |128,734  |3,074    |137,696  |3,146    |143,045  |3,145              

Lancashire          |108,135  |3,212    |122,019  |3,198    |128,669  |3,207    |138,730  |3,170              

Leicestershire      |61,274   |1,818    |68,366   |1,845    |72,784   |1,805    |75,852   |1,825              

Lincolnshire        |41,597   |1,209    |47,235   |1,196    |51,065   |1,200    |54,121   |1,205              

Merseyside          |160,697  |4,689    |178,884  |4,621    |189,280  |4,669    |202,485  |4,693              

Norfolk             |48,115   |1,405    |54,100   |1,414    |59,084   |1,440    |62,209   |1,447              

Northamptonshire    |40,084   |1,139    |45,499   |1,158    |50,617   |1,199    |53,410   |1,170              

Northumbria         |121,364  |3,541    |132,826  |3,464    |136,534  |3,563    |154,875  |3,598              

North Wales         |44,725   |1,349    |50,700   |1,347    |55,897   |1,360    |58,387   |1,352              

North Yorkshire     |47,396   |1,387    |51,679   |1,398    |58,444   |1,393    |61,464   |1,318              

Nottinghamshire     |75,709   |2,336    |82,629   |2,331    |89,507   |2,327    |95,723   |2,328              

South Wales         |106,257  |3,137    |118,537  |3,168    |127,300  |3,176    |130,885  |3,131              

South Yorkshire     |94,778   |2,991    |103,166  |3,008    |117,544  |3,032    |124,637  |3,023              

Staffordshire       |74,272   |2,217    |82,163   |2,176    |87,742   |2,179    |93,993   |2,208              

Suffolk             |43,008   |1,209    |48,069   |1,218    |50,731   |1,241    |54,460   |1,208              

Surrey              |57,125   |1,657    |63,421   |1,706    |70,879   |1,693    |74,649   |1,669              

Sussex              |92,991   |2,969    |106,178  |2,984    |115,114  |3,008    |119,678  |3,009              

Thames Valley       |134,111  |3,714    |149,414  |3,772    |160,512  |3,840    |173,938  |3,908              

Warwickshire        |36,082   |1,020    |39,842   |990      |42,489   |1,020    |46,084   |1,046              

West Mercia         |68,707   |2,026    |77,230   |2,034    |82,670   |2,054    |89,633   |2,059              

West Midlands       |229,256  |6,876    |250,816  |6,941    |284,274  |6,953    |292,273  |7,014              

West Yorkshire      |181,186  |5,268    |197,226  |5,087    |208,784  |5,037    |219,225  |5,046              

Wiltshire           |40,885   |1,165    |46,215   |1,221    |51,400   |1,265    |53,547   |1,264              

Metropolitan Police |1,197,964|28,230   |1,339,605|28,154   |1,453,959|27,867   |1,515,054|27,699             

Murders and Manslaughters

Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of (a) murders and (b) manslaughters (i) with or (ii) without diminished responsibility, recorded in each year since 1970 in each police force area, indicating the sex of the victims and the numbers of these crimes where there is still no conviction.


Column 142

Mr. Maclean: The tables show for 1982 to 1993 the number of offences of homicide involving (i) male victims and (ii) female victims by outcome. Information for earlier years is not available, and information for each police force area separately could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The third table gives the information which can be provided on the total number of homicides recorded by the police, by police force area and year for 1982 to 1993.


Column 141


Offences initially recorded as homicide by outcome (Female victims)                                                                                                

England and Wales  Number of offences                                                                                                                              

Outcome                                                    |1982   |1983   |1984   |1985   |1986   |1987   |1988   |1989   |1990   |1991   |1992   |1993           

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Offences initially recorded as homicide                    |268    |239    |254    |272    |272    |250    |244    |244    |237    |307    |258    |245            

                                                                                                                                                                   

Offences no longer recorded as homicide<1>                 |10     |12     |13     |16     |19     |16     |18     |21     |23     |19     |22     |14             

                                                                                                                                                                   

Offences currently recorded as homicide<1>                                                                                                                         

 Decided at court to be homicide:                                                                                                                                  

 Murder                                                    |77     |72     |79     |90     |96     |92     |81     |88     |75     |89     |71     |46             

 Sec 2 manslaughter                                        |70     |51     |53     |51     |48     |39     |40     |43     |36     |47     |45     |25             

 Other manslaughter                                        |46     |50     |53     |58     |53     |45     |57     |49     |48     |66     |61     |30             

 Infanticide                                               |4      |4      |1      |1      |1      |-      |3      |1      |3      |3      |4      |2              

                                                                                                                                                                   

Total                                                      |197    |177    |186    |200    |198    |176    |181    |181    |162    |205    |181    |103            

                                                                                                                                                                   

Court decision pending                                     |-      |-      |-      |-      |-      |-      |-      |-      |-      |6      |7      |79             

                                                                                                                                                                   

Proceedings not initiated or concluded without conviction:                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                   

Suspect found by the court to be insane                    |1      |1      |4      |2      |2      |1      |-      |1      |-      |2      |3      |1              

 Suspect died                                              |1      |2      |-      |2      |2      |1      |1      |2      |3      |6      |1      |2              

 Suspect committed suicide                                 |33     |22     |31     |32     |32     |36     |30     |22     |27     |39     |25     |26             

 Proceedings discontinued or not initiated                 |5      |2      |7      |7      |3      |4      |2      |2      |2      |6      |1      |2              

                                                                                                                                                                   

Total                                                      |40     |27     |42     |43     |39     |42     |33     |27     |32     |53     |30     |32             

Currently no suspect:                                                                                                                                              

 All suspects acquitted                                    |3      |5      |2      |2      |3      |2      |6      |4      |6      |11     |3      |3              

 No suspects charged                                       |18     |18     |11     |11     |13     |14     |6      |11     |14     |13     |15     |14             

                                                                                                                                                                   

Total                                                      |21     |23     |13     |13     |16     |16     |12     |15     |20     |24     |18     |17             

                                                                                                                                                                   

Total offences currently recorded as homicide              |258    |227    |241    |256    |253    |234    |226    |223    |214    |288    |236    |231            

<1> As at 5 August 1994; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.     


Offences initially recorded as homicide by outcome (Male victims)                                                                                                  

England and Wales $\$Number of offences                                                                                                                            

Outcome                                                    |1982   |1983   |1984   |1985   |1986   |1987   |1988   |1989   |1990   |1991   |1992   |1993           

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Offences initially recorded as homicide                    |350    |313    |365    |353    |388    |436    |401    |382    |426    |419    |424    |430            

                                                                                                                                                                   

Offences no longer recorded as homicide<1>                 |51     |58     |69     |73     |75     |70     |78     |80     |82     |76     |66     |55             

                                                                                                                                                                   

Offences currently recorded as homicide<1>                                                                                                                         

 Decided at court to be homicide:                                                                                                                                  

 Murder                                                    |85     |81     |86     |77     |109    |105    |93     |91     |102    |99     |119    |70             

 Sec 2 manslaughter                                        |38     |32     |31     |24     |34     |46     |34     |39     |45     |35     |36     |28             

 Other manslaughter                                        |114    |99     |126    |118    |118    |148    |137    |102    |117    |134    |117    |91             

 Infanticide                                               |2      |7      |1      |7      |2      |1      |4      |-      |1      |2      |2      |1              

                                                                                                                                                                   

Total                                                      |239    |219    |244    |226    |263    |300    |268    |232    |265    |270    |274    |190            

                                                                                                                                                                   

Court decision pending                                     |-      |-      |-      |-      |-      |-      |-      |1      |3      |10     |18     |142            

                                                                                                                                                                   

Proceedings not initiated or concluded without conviction:                                                                                                         

 Suspect found by the court to be insane                   |-      |1      |-      |1      |1      |2      |-      |5      |1      |-      |4      |-              

 Suspect died                                              |2      |-      |2      |-      |3      |-      |1      |-      |3      |1      |1      |2              

 Suspect committed suicide                                 |16     |9      |9      |15     |14     |22     |13     |13     |8      |10     |14     |3              

 Proceedings discontinued or not initiated                 |6      |7      |10     |9      |2      |8      |3      |1      |4      |5      |3      |3              

                                                                                                                                                                   

Total                                                      |24     |17     |21     |25     |20     |32     |17     |19     |16     |16     |22     |8              

                                                                                                                                                                   

Currently no suspect:                                                                                                                                              

 All suspects acquitted                                    |6      |7      |4      |7      |9      |14     |10     |13     |24     |20     |17     |8              

 No suspects charged                                       |30     |12     |27     |22     |21     |20     |28     |37     |36     |27     |27     |27             

                                                                                                                                                                   

Total                                                      |36     |19     |31     |29     |30     |34     |38     |50     |60     |47     |44     |35             

                                                                                                                                                                   

Total offences currently recorded as homicide              |299    |255    |296    |280    |313    |366    |323    |302    |344    |343    |358    |375            

<1> As at 5 August 1994; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.     


Column 143


Offences of homicide recorded by the police<1> by police force area and year                                                                                                                                                                                           

England and Wales  Number of offences                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Police force area            |1982             |1983             |1984             |1985             |1986             |1987             |1988             |1989             |1990             |1991             |1992             |1993                               

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avon and Somerset            |9                |14               |9                |15               |12               |18               |8                |8                |10               |15               |11               |19                                 

Bedfordshire                 |3                |11               |7                |4                |7                |9                |7                |8                |6                |6                |12               |4                                  

Cambridgeshire               |1                |4                |4                |5                |6                |6                |10               |3                |6                |4                |8                |4                                  

Cheshire                     |6                |11               |7                |6                |10               |5                |12               |6                |6                |11               |11               |13                                 

Cleveland                    |10               |5                |10               |4                |5                |9                |8                |11               |10               |10               |8                |7                                  

Cumbria                      |6                |4                |1                |3                |6                |3                |4                |3                |5                |4                |4                |4                                  

Derbyshire                   |6                |7                |8                |8                |4                |4                |6                |9                |4                |9                |8                |9                                  

Devon and Cornwall           |10               |17               |13               |11               |11               |13               |12               |8                |12               |18               |13               |16                                 

Dorset                       |2                |4                |8                |4                |7                |1                |4                |3                |5                |6                |11               |4                                  

Durham                       |5                |8                |7                |3                |5                |3                |4                |5                |6                |4                |7                |10                                 

Essex                        |10               |6                |16               |20               |15               |13               |14               |14               |11               |13               |6                |12                                 

Gloucestershire              |4                |1                |3                |7                |4                |1                |1                |12               |2                |12               |3                |9                                  

Greater Manchester           |28               |23               |37               |28               |38               |45               |49               |35               |28               |49               |46               |41                                 

Hampshire                    |14               |8                |9                |15               |19               |15               |8                |8                |11               |12               |12               |17                                 

Hertfordshire                |11               |6                |7                |4                |7                |10               |11               |9                |5                |9                |5                |6                                  

Humberside                   |14               |6                |8                |9                |5                |8                |12               |11               |9                |11               |6                |4                                  

Kent                         |9                |15               |23               |14               |20               |25               |18               |21               |18               |19               |16               |24                                 

Lancashire                   |12               |13               |17               |18               |11               |27               |23               |21               |17               |21               |10               |25                                 

Leicestershire               |8                |7                |3                |9                |6                |7                |5                |6                |11               |11               |6                |9                                  

Lincolnshire                 |6                |3                |3                |3                |4                |8                |3                |6                |2                |8                |3                |2                                  

London, City of              |-                |1                |-                |-                |-                |-                |-                |1                |-                |-                |3                |1                                  

Merseyside                   |19               |14               |11               |15               |20               |15               |21               |17               |19               |21               |22               |15                                 

Metropolitan Police District |192              |149              |164              |187              |210              |193              |148              |176              |184              |184              |172              |159                                

Norfolk                      |5                |4                |7                |5                |12               |4                |7                |5                |12               |10               |9                |5                                  

Northamptonshire             |5                |8                |9                |5                |10               |11               |4                |5                |4                |5                |9                |7                                  

Northumbria                  |10               |17               |26               |19               |17               |19               |14               |19               |27               |28               |24               |31                                 

North Yorkshire              |16               |2                |4                |5                |5                |6                |3                |10               |5                |3                |9                |6                                  

Nottinghamshire              |9                |9                |12               |12               |12               |11               |11               |10               |13               |27               |14               |16                                 

South Yorkshire              |14               |19               |14               |13               |12               |11               |18               |16               |21               |15               |20               |20                                 

Staffordshire                |12               |5                |8                |4                |11               |4                |8                |9                |11               |8                |4                |9                                  

Suffolk                      |2                |9                |5                |6                |5                |5                |4                |9                |6                |2                |5                |3                                  

Surrey                       |3                |1                |5                |2                |4                |12               |7                |5                |6                |11               |8                |5                                  

Sussex                       |11               |8                |20               |16               |18               |14               |12               |21               |19               |20               |16               |13                                 

Thames Valley                |17               |16               |23               |21               |17               |37               |18               |16               |18               |17               |16               |19                                 

Warwickshire                 |5                |6                |1                |5                |-                |9                |5                |4                |3                |2                |4                |3                                  

West Mercia                  |8                |14               |8                |6                |9                |8                |7                |5                |10               |11               |6                |15                                 

West Midlands                |45               |43               |49               |45               |42               |38               |44               |31               |37               |40               |56               |40                                 

West Yorkshire               |30               |24               |29               |26               |25               |31               |26               |33               |43               |34               |34               |27                                 

Wiltshire                    |6                |7                |4                |2                |4                |5                |5                |6                |11               |4                |7                |5                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Dyfed-Powys                  |4                |5                |1                |6                |1                |3                |7                |6                |9                |4                |8                |4                                  

Gwent                        |9                |3                |3                |9                |7                |6                |6                |7                |3                |5                |7                |3                                  

North Wales                  |11               |3                |8                |6                |1                |5                |10               |3                |3                |5                |10               |9                                  

South Wales                  |11               |10               |10               |11               |17               |11               |20               |20               |21               |17               |18               |16                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

England and Wales            |618              |550              |621              |616              |661              |688              |624              |641              |669              |725              |687              |670                                

<1> Because of differences in recording practice the figures in this table do not always agree exactly with those given in the other tables.                                                                                                                           

Mohammad Riaz

Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what prison sentence he has set for Mohammad Riaz; what was the trial judge's recommendation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth: The period for retribution and deterrence in this case was originally set in 1988. At the time, the trial judge recommended 10 years, the Lord Chief Justice of the day recommended a minimum period of 16 years and the Minister then set a period of 20 years. In doing so, he would have had regard to the statement by Sir Leon Brittan, as Home Secretary in 1983, that terrorists and certain other specified categories of murderer could normally expect to serve at least 20 years.

Following the Doody judgment of June 1993, the above details were disclosed to Mr. Riaz. He subsequently made representations and his case was considered afresh in December 1993. My right hon. and learned Friend concluded that there were no grounds to justify disapplying the policy set out in the Brittan statement. He therefore confirmed the existing period of 20 years.


Column 146

Transitional Crime

ar format 97 Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on proposals put forward by the United Kingdom to, and decisions taken at, the United Nations ministerial conference on organised transnational crime, held in Naples 21 to 23 November.

Mr. Maclean: The conference, which was attended by representatives of 138 countries, was convened by the United Nations for the purpose of examining the problems and dangers posed by organised transnational crime in all regions of the world and of identifying the most effective forms of international co-operation for its prevention and control. The conference adopted a political declaration and a global action plan. The political declaration sends a clear message about the determination of the international community to co-operate to tackle the problem of organised transnational crime and stresses the need for assistance to the developing countries and countries in transition against the threat which organised crime may pose to their social and economic development.

The global action plan emphasises the national, legislative and other measures which may be effective in


Column 147

dealing with organised transnational crime and commends the adoption and implementation of all states of the international instruments which are already available to strengthen efforts against such crime--for example, in relation to money laundering and control of the proceeds of crime. It also recommends that the UN's commission on crime prevention and criminal justice should seek the views of states on the feasibility and value of developing an international convention or conventions against organised transnational crime. In a separate resolution, the conference acknowledged an offer by the Italian Government to organise and host, at their own expense, an international task force, which would examine the feasibility of an Italian proposal for setting up an international training centre for law enforcement and criminal justice personnel. The results of the task force's work will be submitted to the fourth UN commission on crime prevention and criminal justice next year.

The United Kingdom delegation, which I led, played its full part in the conference, and the Government fully support the conference conclusions. Copies of the political declaration, the global action plan and the resolution will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Ian Lumb

Ms Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the United Kingdom branch of Interpol has received a report on attempts to locate Mr. Ian Lumb;

(2) if he will meet the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen to discuss the case of Mr. Ian Lumb; and if he will make a statement; (3) when his Department last discussed the case of Mr. Ian Lumb with the Greater Manchester police;

(4) if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which his Department intervenes in police operational matters.

Mr. Maclean: Police operational matters are entirely the responsibility of individual chief constables.

Home Office officials consulted Greater Manchester police and the United Kingdom National Central Bureau of Interpol about the case of Mr. Ian Lumb on1 December 1994.

The United Kingdom National Central Bureau of Interpol has not received a report on attempts to locate Mr. Ian Lumb.


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