§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement outlining any plans which he has to introduce legislation to increase penalties available for assaults upon police officers.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 21 February 1989]We have no plans to increase the present maximum 767W penalties (six months' imprisonment or a fine of £2,000 or both), which are the maxima for offences tried in magistrates courts. More serious assaults would normally be dealt with as offences against the person, with higher maximum penalties, including life imprisonment for wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and attempted murder.