§ 5. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the numerous burglaries now taking place in London and surrounding areas, what steps are being taken to improve police protection of homes and property and the tracing of stolen goods, to secure the arrest and increase the punishment of culprits and to stamp out the black market which forms the principal inducement for stealing.
§ Mr. EdeThe police are already utilising their available resources to the best advantage in the prevention and detection of crime. As regards black market offences, the police are in constant touch with the enforcement officers of the various Ministries controlling rationed articles, and their joint efforts have met with a good deal of success. As regards the punishment of culprits, it is for the courts to determine what is the appropriate penalty in any particular case, and I have no reason to think that their powers in this respect are in any way inadequate.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartWill the right hon. Gentleman answer particularly the first part of my Question, namely, what steps are being taken to improve police protection of homes; and, secondly, with regard to punishment, in view of the increase of those crimes, will he give consideration to more extreme penalties?
§ Mr. EdeWith regard to the first part of the Question, as police are being demobilised from the Forces the strength of the police forces is being added to, and we are hoping to get some recruits into the police forces now. With regard to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I think the existing penalties are adequate, and it would be highly improper for me to interfere with the courts in the exercise of the discretion which this House has allowed them.
Mr. PatonWould the right hon. Gentleman tell us if there is, in the whole record of history, any testimony to the effect that severity of punishment is a deterrent to crime?