HC Deb 01 November 1956 vol 558 cc1613-4
47. Mr. Royle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable magistrates' courts to try cases of minor house breaking.

Mr. Deedes

The present list of indictable offences triable summarily is based on the recommendations of a Departmental Committee, and before any alteration was made it would be desirable to have a similar review of the whole question: housebreaking might not be the only candidate for inclusion in the list. My right hon. and gallant Friend is afraid, however, that he cannot undertake to initiate such a review at present.

Mr. Royle

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that such a proposal would save the rigmarole of depositions in cases of this kind? Is it not a fact that magistrates' courts try very many cases which are more serious than the ones which I have in mind? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his noble Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State has intimated in a public speech that this is desirable?

Mr. Deedes

I think the hon. Member must be aware that this would be a very controversial change and might have the effect of being taken to indicate that housebreaking offences were no longer so seriously regarded by the community, and that that would not be wise at the moment, when the number of such cases is increasing.