Captain Duncanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the lenient sentences recently imposed on boys who have broken into Home Guard ammunition stores and stolen bombs and ammunition; and whether he will circularise magistrates calling attention to the importance of adequate sentences in these cases in view of the dangers to the public involved.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have been informed of the decision of the courts in a number of similar cases, including the one of which my hon. and gallant Friend has been good enough to send me particulars. It is the duty of the magistrates to take into consideration all the relevant circumstances, including the need for protecting the public from dangerous mischief of this type. The cases I have seen do not lead me to believe that the magistrates are disposed to disregard this consideration.