§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the concern of many police, the various organisations, justices of the peace and others connected with law and order at the failure to prosecute in some serious cases and the ineffective sentences for such crimes, whether he will cause an investigation to be made into these matters to see to what extent improvements can be made in the present situation.
§ Mr. MayhewNo. The responsibility for prosecution of offences falls not to the Home Secretary but to chief officers of police in consultation, as appropriate, with the Director of Public Prosecutions. Sentencing in individual cases is entirely for the courts within the limits set by Parliament.