§ 11. Mr. STOURTON (for Captain DOWER)asked the Home Secretary how many cases of hold-up by motor bandits have been reported in this country during the last six months; how many prosecutions have taken place with regard to this; and how many convictions have resulted?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am afraid that it would require a special search of police records to ascertain the number of crimes known to the police which might fall within my hon. and gallant Friend's description. They might include cases which will ultimately be classified under several different heads, but for statistical purposes those in which a motor vehicle was used would not be shown separately from others of the same class.
§ Mr. STOURTONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the law might well be amended so as to impose sentences of flogging in these cases, and is he aware that if this course were adopted bandits would become as practically extinct as the dodo?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe law already provides for dealing with specific cases.