§ 23. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the inadequacy of the sentence which may be imposed upon persons convicted of armed robbery of shops, whether he will consider the desirability of legislation to provide for heavier penalties in such cases.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerNo, Sir. The maximum penalty for robbery while armed is already life imprisonment.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-DavenportIs my right hon. Friend aware of the grave public concern at the light sentences which are being imposed for armed robbery? Is he aware, for instance, of a recent case at Boreham Wood where a young thug who had robbed two women in a fish shop of £6 was given an unconditional discharge providing he repaid the money, whereas a poor old-age pensioner at Oxford who had, earned extra money and had not divulged it to the pension authorities was given one month in gaol? Where is the justice in these sentences?
§ Mr. ButlerI sympathise with my hon. and gallant Friend's humanity but, unfortunately, I have no authority to give directions to the courts on the nature of the sentences which they impose.