HC Deb 05 December 1994 vol 251 cc15-6
34. Mr. Hendry

To ask the Attorney-General how many cases he has referred to the Court of Appeal on having an unduly lenient sentence in the past 12 months.

The Solicitor-General

During the past 12 months, the Attorney-General sought leave to refer 50 cases to the Court of Appeal. Of the 38 cases decided to date, 32, or 84 per cent., have resulted in an increase in sentence.

Mr. Hendry

Is not the most effective way of ensuring that criminals should be punished more severely than their victims—as highlighted by the case of the 82-year-old pensioner in Derbyshire last week—through my right hon. and learned Friend's right to ask the Court of Appeal to review lenient sentences? Is it not a shame that the Labour party continues to oppose that policy?

The Solicitor-General

My hon. Friend may find on closer analysis that, in that sector, as in so many others, the Labour party has changed its ground somewhat over the past two or three years. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 will give my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary power to extend the scope of the present power to refer to serious fraud. I understand from him that he will be doing that in the near future.