§ 69. Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has studied the representations from the Central Council of Bank Staff Associations representing over 65,000 employees in the clearing banks, calling for heavier penalties for those convicted of attacks on bank officials and others in charge of money, a copy of which has been sent to him; what action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeI have seen a copy of a letter sent to my hon. Friend by the Chairman, of the Central Council of Bank Staff Associations. I fully appreciate the Council's concern about attacks on bank officials and others in charge of money, but the maximum penalties available to the courts for these offences are, in my opinion, adequate. These include life imprisonment for armed robbery or robbery with violence.