§ 3. Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that money has depreciated by so much of its pre-war value, he will consider legislation to treble the maximum fines that can be imposed by courts in order that these monetary punishments may more nearly fit the crimes.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe question whether the maximum penalty for any particular offence should be changed is always considered if the relevant Statute is being amended, but it would be a formidable task to review the penalty provisions in all Statutes. I have no information to suggest that the courts generally regard the maximum fines as inadequate and are thereby deprived of awarding condign punishment by this method of treatment. But in any event I do not think that it would be appropriate to treble all existing maximum penalties; it would be necessary to consider each offence separately on its merits.
§ Mr. OsborneMay I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend if he does not think, even though it might not be wise to treble the maximum penalty, that magistrates often feel disinclined to send men to prison and are just as disinclined to impose a maximum fine, but that they would impose a heavier fine if the maximum were increased? Since money has depreciated so much, surely this should be considered.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeIf magistrates were in the habit of imposing a maximum penalty without regard to the means of the offender, one might be led to think that the maximum was not sufficient, but there is no evidence to show that this is so.
§ Mr. EdeWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider particularly the maximum fines that can be imposed under the Vagrancy Act of 1824?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeAll special cases like that will be examined.