To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of children who were killed at the hands of parents or carers in the last 12 months. (186824)

I have been asked to reply.

Available data from the Homicide Index relate to offences currently recorded as homicides in England and Wales as at 12 November 2007, and the requested information was published in ‘Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2006/07’ (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 03/08, page 14 and table 1.04).

During 2006-07 there were 33 homicides recorded where the victim was aged under 16 and the relationship to the principal suspect was ‘son/daughter’ (which includes step- and adoptive-children, and children of the suspect's cohabitant or lover). Cases with a relationship category of ‘carer’ cannot be identified.