§ Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Home Secretary who authorised the prosecution of eight part-time Civil Defence workers who were fined £5 at Doncaster on 11th September last, for wearing during off-duty hours free issue Civil Defence trousers and boots; whether he will review the papers and the circumstances associated with each case with a view to remitting these fines; and consider a drastic reduction in the permitted maximum penalties imposed under the terms of the Order?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThese proceedings were taken by the West Riding County Council under Defence Regulation 29B (1A). The men had disobeyed an order not to wear uniforms and boots, which they had received free of cost and without surrendering coupons, except for Civil Defence duty. As a result the articles were either useless or in a very bad condition. It is for the Court to decide what is the appropriate penalty in any particular case and I have found nothing in these cases which would justify me in recommending any remission of the fines imposed. As regards the last part of the Question, I do not consider that the maximum penalties of one month's imprisonment or a fine of £10, or both, can be regarded as excessive.