§ 103. Rev. LI. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to deal more drastically with persons convicted of driving vehicles under the influence of drink
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§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have no powers in this matter. It is entirely for the courts, on the evidence of all the circumstances, to assess what is the appropriate penalty in any particular case, and it would not be proper for me to offer them guidance in this matter. The maximum penalties prescribed by law are heavy, and the courts, have an ample reserve of power to deal with the most serious cases. The Lord Chief Justice, in a recent case before the Divisional Court, took the opportunity of calling the attention of magistrates to the fact that driving under the influence of drink was one of the worst offences which it was possible to commit and I have no doubt that courts will pay proper attention to this advice.