§ Mr. Robert B. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement setting out the principal measures taken by his Department since May 1979 to tackle crime; and whether he will set out any policy inititatives he plans to implement.
§ Mr. HurdWe have increased the resources provided for the police, the courts, the probation service and the prisons. We have encouraged the development of crime prevention measures by individuals, the private sector, and public bodies. We have increased maximum penalties for serious crimes where this was needed. We are providing fresh help for victims. The Criminal Justice Bill advances our strategy further. "Criminal Justice: A Working Paper", a copy of which is in the Library, gives a fuller account of our achievements and the ways in which we intend to build on them.