§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the growing practice of confidence tricksters using police and other public servants' identity passes to gain admission into premises and tricking people, especially the aged and infirm, and robbing them of cash and valuables, he will seek to make it punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years for any person to use such a pass without the authorisation of the issuing organisation.
§ Mr. MayhewNo. The fixed sentence for murder aside, mandatory sentences for criminal offences are objectionable in principle. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the courts have ample discretion to take account of the seriousness of offences committed against people especially vulnerable by reason of age or infirmity.