Wilful Damage and Violence

HC Deb 05 May 1977 vol 931 cc221-2W

13. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the courts have adequate powers to deal with offences of wilful damage and violence against the person.

Mr. John

The courts have available to them a wide range of powers to deal with offences of this kind and I am satisfied that they are in general adequate. The Criminal Law Bill, which received its Second Reading in this House on Tuesday, increases the maximum summary fines for some offences of this kind.