HC Deb 09 December 1937 vol 330 c560
36. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Home Secretary how many persons were convicted for poaching during the last year for which figures are available; and in how many cases defendants were sentenced to terms of hard labour?

Sir S. Hoare

The latest figures available are those for 1936. In that year 1,602 persons over the age of 17 were found guilty by summary courts on charges of poaching, and of these 21 were sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine. I cannot say in how many of these cases the imprisonment was ordered to be with hard labour.

Mr. Williams

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that some of the penalties ought to be revised?

Mr. De la Bère

Mr. Speaker, I cannot hear a word.