§ Mr. Silkinasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the wide differences in the penalties imposed by similar courts for similar blackout offences; and whether he will take steps to ensure that courts deal with these offences in a reasonably uniform manner?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am aware that there have been variations in the penalties imposed for these offences in different parts of the country. As the hon. Member will appreciate, however, it cannot be 1481W assumed, without full knowledge of the facts, that cases which are apparently similar are in fact comparable. It is for the courts to decide, having regard to the circumstances of each individual case—which may differ widely—what penalty is adequate for the purpose of deterring both the offender before the court and other people from committing offences of this type.