§ 2. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fall in the value of money, he will review the maximum financial penalties laid down in Acts of Parliament passed before August, 1914, to satisfy himself that they still have a deterrent effect.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe question whether the maximum penalty for any particular offence should be changed is always considered when relevant legislation is amended, but it would be a formidable task to review the penalty provisions in all statutes enacted before August, 1914. Courts are required to take into account the means of an offender when fixing the amount of a fine to be imposed within the limits prescribed by the law, and I have no reason to believe that the existing limits are not generally adequate.