§ 21. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to amend Section 10 of the Seychelles Defence Regulations (No. 4), 1942, as the penalty of immediate forfeiture of all foodstuffs grown by the offender is out of proportion to the offence of pilferage?
§ Colonel StanleyNo, Sir. The Seychelles Defence Regulation to which my hon. Friend refers leaves it to the discretion of the court whether the full penalty should be imposed, and the court would, no doubt, take into consideration any mitigating circumstances.
§ Mr. AdamsDoes it not seem very unreasonable to withhold the livelihood of an offender in such cases?
§ Colonel StanleyThe hon. Gentleman must remember that the offender has deprived someone else of his livelihood by stealing these crops.