An improved latch housing comprising a striker receiving slot or recess opening through the latch housing for receiving a striker, (the latch housing for mounting a ratchet pivotable from an open position for receiving the striker to a closed position and a pawl for locking the ratchet in the closed (locked) position, the slot or recess having a mouth and two ends and being tapered from a broader portion (near the mouth) to a narrower portion (remote the mouth) intermediate its ends, the end of the recess proximate the broader tapered portion comprising a pair of parallel spaced walls extending towards the mouth from proximate the broader portion and the end of the recess proximate the narrower portion (remote the mouth) comprising a pair of spaced walls which are parallel to one another when the striker is secured in the striker receiving recess of the latch housing. The latch housing is for use with a tapered striker.