PROFITS FROM MURDER

Early day motion 1251, tabled 27 April 1998 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 27 members.

That this House notes with disgust reports that payments of ú50,000 have been given to Mary Bell, a child killer convicted in 1968 of murdering two children; notes that this payment has been offered for her collaboration in a book about her life entitled 'Cries Unheard', published by Macmillan and written by Gitta Sereny; believes that this payment is deeply offensive to the general population and to the parents of the victims, as Mary Bell should not be permitted to profit from these tragedies; further notes that this book should be banned; and calls upon the Home Secretary to take action to ensure that other criminals are not able to make money from their crimes.

Signatures by party: Labour 23, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.