HC Deb 03 March 1966 vol 725 c339W
54. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of discrepancies in sentences imposed by magistrates' courts for non-payment of fines as between those sentenced for taking part in political demonstrations and those sentenced for other offences; and if he will introduce legislation to standardise penalties and so eliminate this practice.

Miss Bacon

My right hon. Friend does not think it would be appropriate to fix uniform terms of imprisonment for non-payment of fines since this would allow courts no discretion to take account of individual circumstances. He has no evidence that courts discriminate in the way my hon. Friend suggests, but if she has any particular case in mind, perhaps she will let me have it.