§ 28. Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Attorney-Genera] how many cases have been put forward to the Court of Appeal for consideration for a possible increase in sentence as a result of his intervention during 1992.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIn 1992, the Law Officers sought leave to refer 41 cases to the Court of Appeal, including four to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland. Three were later withdrawn in the light of further information. Twenty-one of those cases have been determined to date, in 19 of which the original sentence has been increased.
§ Mr. HawkinsI thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his answer.
My constituents, and people throughout the country, consider the right of appeal for the prosecution one of the most valuable pieces of legislation that the Government have introduced. There are still far too many cases in which unreasonably lenient sentences are imposed. May I urge my right hon. and learned Friend to continue to 15 consider exercising the power that the Government have now rightly given him whenever there is a public outcry, as there has been in response to a number of recent cases?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI agree with my hon. Friend. Parliament was very wise to institute that power. In an effective criminal justice system it is important not only to be able to reduce over-severe sentences, but—if the Court of Appeal thinks it right—to be able to increase unduly lenient sentences. Similarly, it is important not only for the innocent not to be convincted, but for the system to be capable of bringing the guilty to justice.