HC Deb 09 March 1967 vol 742 cc1732-3
11. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of recent incidents, he will introduce legislation providing for the imposition of the penalty of death for persons convicted of killing police officers on occasions when such officers were acting in the execution of their duty.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

No, Sir. The House decided, by a decisive majority on 23rd November not to grant leave for the introduction of a Private Member's Bill including this proposal.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Whatever the House may have decided on a previous occasion, has not the right hon. Gentleman a special responsibility for the police? Is he aware that they are regularly exposed to violence in the exercise of their duties, and that with their great experience they think that this proposal would give them protection? Why will he not consider giving them the protection they want, need and deserve?

Mr. Jenkins

Because although I think that I have and endeavour to discharge a special responsibility to the police, I also have a special responsibility to give my views to the House according to what I believe to be right. I propose to do that and not to follow the right hon. Gentleman's advice. I very much doubt if he is acting in the interests of the police or anybody else by constantly keeping this issue alive.

Mr. Crowder

Will the Home Secretary consider this situation? In a case of serious armed robbery when a sentence is likely to be between 15 and 18 years there is little to be lost by a criminal to shoot his way out, murdering a police officer thereby. Will the Home Secretary consider that situation in relation to the question asked by my right hon. Friend?

Mr. Jenkins

These matters referred to by the hon. and learned Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Crowder) are pre-eminently for debate. They were debated briefly three months ago and at length two years ago. I do not think that I could usefully add to that in reply to a Question.

Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

Will not the Home Secretary agree that on some occasions the community has to be tough enough to take pretty unpleasant measures to protect itself against something worse?

Mr. Jenkins

Yes, but the representatives of the community have decided what the remedy should be and they decided it on 23rd November.