Prime Ministers' Questions
Brooks Newmark calls on the PM to explain the dramatic fall in conviction rates for cases of rape.
Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): The conviction rate for cases of rape has fallen from 19 per cent. to 6.5 per cent. in England and Wales, and to 2.9 per cent. in Scotland. Will the Prime Minister please explain why?
The Prime Minister: One of the reasons why convictions for rape have gone up in many places is the use of DNA. [Interruption.] I think that Members of the House have to accept that DNA is an important means by which we have found and detected persons involved in rape-but I will look at the figures that the hon. Gentleman has given me and I will write to him.
