§ 31. Mr. Pearsonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that continued low penalties are inflicted by magistrates in Wales in cases of proved adding of water to milk; and will he take steps to ensure that penalties imposed by magistrates in these offences must be adequate to the crime perpetrated upon the public?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonWhile discretion must rest with the court to decide what is the appropriate penalty in each case, having regard to the particular facts and circumstances, I am in full accord with my hon. Friend that it is the first duty of the magistrate to enforce the law and to impose penalties which are adequate for this purpose. I hope therefore that this Question and reply may serve to remind any magistrates who may be inclined to undue lenience in cases of the kind mentioned that these evasions of the law are offences against the public who are entitled to look to the magistrates for protection.