§ 24. Mr. Andrew MacKayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that present punishments available to the courts for crimes of violence represent a true deterrent.
§ Mr. BrittanFor all serious offences of violence the penalty of life imprisonment is available to the courts. I am generally satisfied that the penalties available for acts of violence are sufficient, though the deterrent effect of penalties and sentencing is not readily measured and they are by no means the only relevant factors in preventing violent crime.