HL Deb 13 May 1968 vol 292 cc200-2WA
The EARL OF MANSFIELD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of the increasing numbers of cases in which members of the police forces have been assaulted and have been badly injured in the execution of their duty; whether they are further aware of the totally inadequate penalties often imposed upon the assailants; and whether they will therefore issue an advisory directive to all magistrates of every kind both in Scotland and England that such magistrates should regard attacks on the police as being of a more than usually serious nature and that only in exceptional cases should they refrain from imposing a sentence of imprisonment without the option of a fine.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)

The Government shares the noble Lord's concern about assaults on the police. It is, however, for the court to determine, within the statutory maxima, what penalty should be imposed on an offender, having regard to the requirements of justice and the circumstances of the offence and the offender. While I am sure that the courts are well aware of the seriousness of this crime, it would be wrong for the Executive to seek to issue guidance to the courts in the sense suggested in the noble Earl's Question.

House adjourned at twenty minutes past midnight.