To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were convicted for (a) sexual crimes involving minors, (b) rape, (c) arson, (d) fuel smuggling, (e) cigarette smuggling, (f) credit card fraud, (g) bank fraud, (h) burglary, (i) driving under the influence of alcohol and (j) vehicle theft in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months. (254939)

In 2006 (the latest year for which figures are available) there were:

(a) 36 convictions for sexual crimes involving minors. Court datasets do not include victim information in relation to an offence and it is therefore possible only to give the number of convictions for those offences which, by their definition, identify a child as the victim.

(b) 11 convictions for rape; and

(c) 66 convictions for arson offences.

(d) and (e) Data relating to prosecutions for fuel and cigarette smuggling are the responsibility of HM Revenue and Customs from whom this information should be sought.

(f) and (g) The Northern Ireland court datasets do not contain background information in relation to an offence and it is not possible therefore to separate those convictions for fraud which related to credit card or bank fraud. It is, however, possible to determine the total number of convictions for fraud and forgery and in 2006 there were 333 such convictions.

(h) 532 convictions for burglary;

(i) 2,809 convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and

(j) 350 convictions for vehicle theft.

Data are collated on the principal offence rule; only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.