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Written Answers

Volume 593: debated on Wednesday 14 October 1998

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Written Answers

Wednesday, 14th October 1998.

Unidentified Flying Objects

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the document references and titles of all open files at the Public Record Office that contain information about unidentified flying objects. [HL3314]

I list below the document references and titles of all open files at the Public Record Office known to staff to contain information about unidentified flying objects. There may be information in other open files but this could be discovered only at disproportionate cost.

AIR 2 Air Ministry Registered Files

AIR 2/16918 1961–1963, alleged sightings of UFO's. Letters from members of the public on alleged sightings. Magazine entitled Cosmic Voice "Mars and Venus Speak to Earth", dated November—December 1961/Article entitled Men from Outer Space: Are they visiting Britain?

AIR 2/17318 1963 UFO reports

AIR 2/17526 1964 UFO reports

AIR 2/17527 1964–1965 UFO reports

AIR 2/17982 1965–1966 UFO reports

AIR 2/17983 1966 UFO reports (with photographs)

AIR 2/17984 1966–67 UFO reports (with photographs)

AIR 14 Bomber Command

AIR 14/2800 1943 December No. 115 Squadron: News Sheet Bang On No. 1. Aerial phenomena—reports of UFOs on RAF bombing raids.

AIR 16 Fighter Command

AIR 16/1199 1952 September Flying saucers: occurrence reports by service personnel at Topcliffe station, Thirsk, and local public.

AIR 20 Unregistered Papers

AIR 20/7390 1952 Reported sightings of UFOs: memorandum prepared for the War Office.

AIR 20/9320 1957 Parliamentary Question from 17 April 1957 by Mr. Stan Awbery MP: To ask the Secretary of State for Air, what recent investigations have been made into unidentified flying objects; what photographs have been taken; and what reports have been made on this subject. Reply by the Secretary of State (Mr. Ward). Notes on UFOs provided for the Minister's use. Also: UFO incident at West Freugh in Wigtownshire in 1957; incidents and signals at RAF Church Lawford, RAF Bempton and RAF Lakenheath; newspaper clippings 6 April 1957 from the News Chronicle and the Evening Standard;, photographs of object over the Channel Islands from the Daily Sketch of 6 April 1957.

AIR 20/9321 1957 Parliamentary Question 15 May 1957 from Major Patrick Wall MP: To ask the Secretary of State for Air, how many unidentified flying objects have been detected over Great Britain this year as

compared with previous years; and whether the object picked up on radar over the Dover Straits on 29 April has yet been identified. Further questions to the Minister from Mr. Frank Beswick MP. Notes for Minister on reported sightings. Replies by Mr. Ward. Newspaper clippings April—May 1957: The Times, News Chronicle, Daily Worker, Daily Mirror, Daily Sketch, Daily Telegraph, Daily Express and the Evening News.

AIR 20/9322 1957 Parliamentary Question 15 May 1957 from Mr. Frank Beswick MP: To ask the Secretary of State for Air, what was the nature of the aircraft or other aircraft sighted on the radar defence screens on Monday night and which occasioned the despatch of Fighter Command. Reply by Mr. Ward. Notes for Ministers.

AIR 20/9994 Headquarters Southern Section Intelligence. Reports on Aerial Phenomena, including "observation of unusual aerial phenomena at Royal Air Force Ventor on 29 July 1957". Two Copies of "Track Tracing" Sheets.

Description of UFOs, for example, RAF Lyneham 9 December 1957: "December 1957: Description large bright crescent shaped object or could be a sphere with trails from edges. Travelling on a course of 290 degrees at a moderate speed. Seemed to be descending and not at a very great height".

AIR 20/11887 1967 August (with maps)

AIR 20/11888 1967 September

AIR 20/11889 1967 October (with photographs)

AIR 20/11890 1967 October (with maps)

AIR 20/11891 1967 November (with maps)

AIR 20/11892 1967 November

AIR 20/11893 1967 December

AIR 22 Periodical Returns, Summaries and Bulletins

AIR 22/93 1955 Air Ministry Secret Intelligence Summary March 1955. Volume 10, Article No. 3 on Flying Saucers "An object was reported …".

PREM 11 Prime Minister's Office: Correspondence and Papers, 1951–1964.

PREM 11/855 1952 Personal Minute from the Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill to the Secretary of State for Air, Lord Cheswell, dated 28 July 1952. "What does all this stuff about flying saucers amount to? What can it mean? What is the truth? Let me have a report at your convenience." Minute from the Secretary of State, dated 9 August 1952, dismissing stories about flying saucers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the document references and titles of all closed files at the Public Record Office that contain information about unidentified flying objects. [HL3315]

I list below the document references and titles of all closed files in the Public Record Office known to its staff to contain information about unidentified flying objects. There may be information in other closed files but this could be discovered only at disproportionate cost.

AIR 2 Air Ministry: Registered Files

AIR 2/18183 1968–1969 Unidentified Flying Objects*

AIR 20 Unregistered Papers

AIR 20/11612 1967–1968 Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)*

AIR 20/11895 1968 April UFOs*

AIR 20/11896 1968 May UFOs*

AIR 20/11897 1968 June UFOs*

AIR 20/11898 1968 July UFOs*

AIR 20/11899 1968 August UFOs*

AIR 20/11900 1968 September UFOs*

AIR 20/11901 1968 October UFOs*

AIR 20/11902 1968 November UFOs*

AIR 20/12055 1969 January UFOs*

AIR 20/12056 1969 February UFOs*

AIR 20/12057 1969 March UFOs*

AIR 20/12058 1969 April UFOs*

AIR 20/12059 1969 May UFOs*

AIR 20/12060 1969 June UFOs*

AIR 20/12061 1969 July UFOs*

AIR 20/12062 1969 August UFOs*

AIR 20/12063 1969 September UFOs*

AIR 20/12064 1969 October UFOs*

AIR 20/12065 1969 November UFOs*

AIR 20/12066 1969 December UFOs*

AIR 20/12067 1970 January UFOs*

AIR 20/12297 1970 February UFOs*

AIR 20/12298 1970 March UFOs*

AIR 20/12299 1970 April UFOs*

AIR 20/12300 1970 May UFOs*

AIR 20/12301 1970 June UFOs*

AIR 20/12302 1970 July UFOs*

AIR 20/12303 1970 August UFOs*

AIR 20/12304 1970 September UFOs*

AIR 20/12305 1970 October UFOs*

AIR 20/12306 1970 November UFOs*

*= Thirty year closure rule applies.

Surrogacy: Review Report

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish the report of the review of aspects of surrogacy arrangements announced in June 1997. [HL3414]

The Government have received the report of the review team, chaired by Professor Margaret Brazier, OBE, and this is being published today as Cm 4068. Copies will be placed in the Library. We intend to consult formally on the recommendations in the report and an announcement about that will be made in due course. We are very grateful to Professor Brazier and her colleagues, Professors Alastair Campbell and Susan Golombok, for their work.

National Blood Authority

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a new management plan has been received from the new Chairman of the National Blood Authority and when it will be published. [HL3390]

We have received the operational plan for 1998–99. Copies are available from the National Blood Authority and copies will be placed in the Library.

Nursing, Midwifery And Health Visiting Strategy

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the recent consultation, when it is anticipated that the Department of Health will publish its Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Strategy. [HL3391]

The Department of Health plans to publish a new Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Strategy in the new year.

Cirea: Asylum Information Exchange

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 3 September (

WA 12), whether they will publish the proceedings of the Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on Asylum (CIREA). [HL3303]

The outcome of proceedings of the CIREA group are contained in Council documents which can be applied for under the Council's Decision 93/731 on Access to Documents. Applications should be made in writing to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, 175 Rue de la Loi, 1048 Brussels. The Council Secretariat will decide whether the documents may be disclosed, in accordance with the criteria laid down in the Decision. In the event of a refusal, applicants may make a confirmatory application for the document to the Council. The official journal of the European Union published a report of CIREA activities on 23 June 1997 C.191 concerning the period 1994 to 1996. The Government favour disclosure of as great a number of documents as possible.

Mr John Callaghan

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a date has yet been fixed for the inquest on Mr. John Callaghan, who died in Strangeways Prison on 7 May 1996, while awaiting psychiatric assessment. [HL3343]

A date has not yet been set for the inquest into the death of Mr. Callaghan. However, I understand that it is likely to be held early in the new year.

Table A1: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts

for sexual offences against children1 by sex, type of offence and result,

England and Wales, 1993
OffenceSexTotal prosecutedTotal found guilty2Total sentencedDischargeFineCommunity sentenceImmediate custodyOther
Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animalM29313513574121066
F111————1
Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animalM1520204—5101
F————————
Indecent assault on male person under 16 yearsM4192872891469415223
F1366——33—
Indecent assault on a female under 16M1,8771,1931,193583144060955
F191212——741
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13M9776764—21501
F————————
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M187169171372058551
F211—1———
Incest with a girl under 13M525050——3443
F—11——1——
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourseM223——21—
F————————
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M866—4—2—
F————————
Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.M————————
F—11——1——
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16M13661—131
F————————
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18M————————
F————————
Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and underM1007575—237351
F2551—13—
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and underM1551211199249545
F—22——11—
TotalM3,2182,1402,143134697221,12197
F3729291114112
M = Males.F = Females.

1 It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 or under.

2 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

Sexual Offences Against Children

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many prosecutions there have been against sex abusers of children on a comparative basis over the last five years and what penalties were imposed. [HL3324]

Tables containing the available information for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been placed in the Library. It should be noted that for England and Wales and Scotland it is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 years or under.

Table A2: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts for sexual offences against children1 by sex, type of offences and result, England and Wales, 1994
Offence descriptionSexTotal prosecutedTotal found guilty2Total sentencedDischargeFineCommunity sentenceImmediate custodyOther
Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animalM3421331339419938
F322———2—
Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animalM2116161—1122
F————————
Indecent assault on male person under 16 yearsM43031631612112317010
F19882—321
Indecent assault on a female under 16M2,0191,3501,344972950065464
F1755——131
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13M8864652122364
F————————
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M202205204381481647
F————————
Incest with a girl under 13M403535——9251
F1———————
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourseM544———4—
F————————
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M—22———2—
F————————
Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.M————————
F1———————
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16M2388——251
F411———1—
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18M————————
F————————
Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and underM8574745—33324
F233——21—
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and underM1271111095347468
F211——1——
TotalM3,3822,3212,310169528371,143109
F4920202—792
M = Males.F = Females.

1 It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 or under.

2 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

Table A3: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and result,
England and Wales, 1995

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animalM12486862—5754
F1———————
Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animalM61414——311—
F————————
Buggery by a male of a male under 161M482929——128—
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 171M122——11—
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male age 16 or 171M————————
F————————

Table A3: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and result, England and Wales, 1995

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Buggery by a male with a female under 161M25771—24—
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 171M222———2—
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 171M—11———1—
F————————
Indecent assault on male person under 16 yearsM3923313291659420311
F8882—411
Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 182M10111112242
F————————
Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 182M————————
F————————
Rape of a female aged under 163M330111111——49413
F622——11—
Rape of a male aged under 163M1822———11
F————————
Attempted rape of a female aged under 163M322121——2163
F————————
Attempted rape of a male aged under 163M—22———2—
F————————
Indecent assault on a female under 16M1,7871,4401,444832344182374
F10661—23—
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13M7781814—21542
F————————
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M19520320339126785—
F————————
Incest with a girl under 13M222121——6123
F————————
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourseM354——22—
F————————
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M3221——1—
F111———1—

Table A3: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and results,
England and Wales, 1995 (continued)

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.M—221——1—
F—11———1—
Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male3M122——11—
F————————
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16M1166——15—
F————————
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18M—11————1
F1———————

Table A3: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and results,
England and Wales, 1995 (continued)

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and underM625657132528—
F————————
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and underM10598992136573
F411———1—
TotalM3,2542,5362,539151467141,511117
F3119193—781

1 Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 143.

2 Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 144.

3 Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 142.

4 It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 years or under.

5 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

M = Males.

F = Females.

Table A4: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and results,
England and Wales, 1996

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animalM1655———5—
F————————
Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animalM322———2—
F————————
Buggery by a male of a male under 161M666666——462—
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 171M233———3—
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 171M————————
F————————
Buggery by a male with a female under 161M261717——2141
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 171M—22———2—
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 171M————————
F————————
Indecent assault on male person under 16 yearsM3153493488610921312
F10661—41—
Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 182M91111—164—
F————————
Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 182M1———————
F————————
Rape of a female aged under 163M4742092081—418518
F311———1—
Rape of a male aged under 163M191313——148
F1———————
Attempted rape of a female aged under 163M433535——2276
F1———————
Attempted rape of a male aged under 163M422———2—
F————————
Indecent assault on a female under 16M1,5871,5901,577613449391178
F17771—231

Table A4: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and results,
England and Wales, 1996

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13M4054542—13354
F————————
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M164207210202076868
F————————
Incest with a girl under 13M261919——118—
F————————
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourseM2———————
F————————
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M2———————
F2———————

Table A4: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and results,
England and Wales, 1996 (continued)

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.M————————
F211——1——
Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male3M—33——12—
F ————————
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16M933——111
F————————
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18M111———1—
F————————
Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and underM6053523125203
F1———————
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and underM961081091—45585
F111—————
TotalM2,9652,7522,74096627831,655144
F3816162—851

1 Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 143.

2 Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 144.

3 Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 142.

4 It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 years or under.

5 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

M = Males.

F = Females.

Table A5: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and results,
England and Wales, 1997(p)

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Buggery by a male of a male under 161M1067070—11671
F1———————
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 171M666—114—
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 171M3111————
F————————

Table A5: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, type of offence and results,
England and Wales, 1997(p)

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Buggery by a male with a female under 161M3421211—1181
F12——————
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 171M1———————
F————————
Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 171M1———————
F————————
Indecent assault on male person under 16 yearsM3553533439211120813
F1810102—323
Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 182M3017162734—
F————————
Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 182M322—11——
F————————
Rape of a female aged under 163M581198198——717318
F11———————
Rape of a male aged under 163M452423———185
F————————
Attempted rape of a female aged under 163M745252——3454
F—1——————
Attempted rape of a male aged under 163M555———5—
F————————
Indecent assault on a female under 16M1,6271,6211,581594049291080
F12663——3—
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13M4044441—12301
F————————
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M153199198266708610
F————————
Incest with a girl under 13M141919——2152
F————————
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourseM7331——2—
F————————
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16M2111————
F11——————

Table A5: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, and type of offence and result,
England and Wales, 1997(p)

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.M—11———1—
F————————
Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male3M666——15—
F————————
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16M6———————
F—11——1——
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18M————————
F————————

Table A5: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts
for sexual offences against children4 by sex, and type of offence and result,
England and Wales, 1997(p)

Offence

Sex

Total prosecuted

Total found guilty

5

Total sentenced

Discharge

Fine

Community sentence

Immediate custody

Other

Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and underM6155541125243
F211———1—
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and underM1051101115—42604
F411———1—
TotalM3,2652,8082,756107597731,675142
F5023195—473
(p) = provisional.

1 Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 143.

2 Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 144.

3 Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 142.

4 It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 years or under.

5 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

M = Males.

F = Females.

Table B: Persons proceeded against where the main offence was child sexual abuse1 in Scotland 1992–1996

Outcome of proceedings

Year of sentence

Crime

Charge not proved

2

Custody

Community sentence

3

Fine

Other

4

Total

1992Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13—52——7
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 1612517122672
Handling obscene material1—13—5
Lewd and libidinous practices3366651513192
Total4676853039276
1993Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13—332—8
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 1614317181668
Handling obscene material——————
Lewd and libidinous practices295974169187
Total4365943625263
1994Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13——3——3
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 1671117261778
Handling obscene material——11—2
Lewd and libidinous practices4896641711236
Total55107854428319
1995Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13—41—16
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 1681117131059
Handling obscene material12—1—4
Lewd and libidinous practices369450139202
Total45111682720271
1996Sexual intercourse with a girl under 133241—10
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 1691419151168
Handling obscene material3——7—10
Lewd and libidinous practices39944967195
Total54110722918283

1 It is impossible to identify all of the cases where children are involved because the Scottish Office Home Department's classification of crimes and offences does not contain information on the victims of crime. The above table contains crimes within the classification which by definition involve children.

2 Charge not proved includes proceedings dropped or halted, plea not guilty accepted or deserted, acquitted not guilty and acquitted not proven.

3 Community sentence includes probation and community service orders.

4 Other includes admonition or caution, absolute discharge, compensation orders, insanity, hospital and guardianship orders and remits to children's hearings.

Table C: Adults prosecuted/convicted of sexual offences against children, Northern Ireland, 1993–1997

Disposal

Year

Offence

Number prosecuted

1

Number convicted

2

Immediate custody

Suspended custody

Community supervision

Fine

Conditional discharge

1993Gross indecency with a child114211——
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 1432—11——
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17872221—
Taking indecent photographs of a child—1——1——
Total22144451—
1994Gross indecency with a child1173—4——
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14443——1—
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17141625531
Total292785941
1995Gross indecency with a child88422——
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 1433—12——
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17191625315
Total302768715
1996Gross indecency with a child871222—
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 1423111——
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17109152—1
Distributing indecent photographs of a child11—1———
Possessing indecent photographs of a child11——1——
Total222139621
1997Gross indecency with a child32—11——
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 1424111—1
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 1777213—1
Possessing indecent photographs of a child11———1—
Total131433512

Note:

All offenders were males and all victims were aged 16 years or under.

1 Magistrates courts only.

2 All courts (magistrates and the Crown Court).