HC Deb 08 May 1975 vol 891 cc1591-2
4. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis on special measures to protect London Transport staff and others from violence and hooliganism.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Commissioner assures me that his officers are doing all they can within the limits of their available resources to extend the protection given to London Transport staff and their passengers.

The Government have introduced in another place a Bill giving a new power of arrest in connection with offences against the regulations governing the conduct of bus passengers.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Should we not pay tribute to London Transport staff, in my constituency and elsewhere, who have carried on in danger of late-night violence of a murderous character? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the measures and the Bill that he mentioned have given reassurance to London Transport staff and passengers?

Mr. Jenkins

We should certainly pay tribute to London Transport staff and the work they have done in difficult circumstances. I have seen a number of deputations on the matter—deputations from the union representatives of the staff, and London Transport and various other interested bodies. I believe that the steps we have taken, including in particular the introduction of the Bill—which I hope and think will go through both Houses fairly speedily—are important measures to which value is attached by those concerned in this difficult matter.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that one of the best ways of dealing with vandalism and hooliganism against both London Transport staff and licensees of public houses would be for magistrates to use to the maximum the powers that they already have?

Mr. Jenkins

I think that magistrates have adequate powers. In cases in which they judge it to be right, they should use the powers strongly—perhaps to the maximum. But I do not think it wise for Members of either House to attempt to remove from magistrates the discretion to decide that in some cases the maximum penalty is right and that in others, of which we do not know the details, lesser penalties may be right.