HC Deb 07 March 1978 vol 945 c547W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not introduce legislation to seek to increase penalties for attacks on the police to ensure that physical assaults on the police, throwing of bricks and missiles and causing bodily harm must receive a minimum of one and a half years' imprisonment.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Because I think that the penalty for such offences, as for all other offences except murder, should, within the substantial maximum penalties provided, be at the discretion of the courts.