§ 52. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to increase the powers of the police and the courts in dealing with offences regarding the theft of non-ferrous metals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BuchanI am not aware that the powers of the police and the courts to deal with detected offences involving the theft of non-ferrous metals are inadequate. I know that detection of such offences is often difficult, and I have under consideration whether existing powers to regulate metal dealing in Scotland are appropriate in modern conditions.