§ Mr. Crawshawasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the recent report of the Law Commission on Imputed Criminal Intent.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe Commission recommended that the law should be amended to reverse the decision of the House of Lords in the case of Director of Public Prosecutionsv. Smith, and that a subjective test should be applied in ascertaining the intent required in murder and all other offences where it is necessary to ascertain the existence of intent or foresight. The Government agree with this proposal and will seek to amend the Criminal Justice Bill to give effect to it.
The Law Commission also made wider recommendations concerning the nature of intent in murder. These require and are receiving further consideration.