Baby Stealing

26.

Mrs. Renée Short
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions of women for baby stealing there have been during the past five years; and how many have resulted in terms of imprisonment.

Mr. Roy Jenkins
Figures for 1974 are not yet available. In the five years up to the end of 1973, 23 women and  three girls under 17 were found guilty of child stealing. Six of the 23 women were sentenced to imprisonment.

38.

Mrs. Joyce Butler
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prescribe a maximum sentence for offences involving baby snatching.

Mr. Roy Jenkins
I shall keep under close review the possibility of such a change in the law.