§ 35. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the penalties are for looting 66W during war; and whether he will introduce legislation to provide for similar penalties to be imposed whenever looting takes place.
§ Mr. MayhewUnder defence regulations in force during the Second World War the maximum penalties for looting and kindred offences were: on conviction on indictment, death or penal servitude for life; on summary conviction, 12 months' imprisonment. The Theft Act 1968 provides maximum penalties for burglary of 14 years' imprisonment on conviction on indictment and six months on summary conviction, which we believe give the courts sufficient scope to deal with offences of this kind committed in peace time.