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Proceeding contribution from Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Monday, 2 July 2007. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on UK Borders Bill.


UK Borders Bill

I do not think that I explained myself fully. In the old days, common assault was punishable by six months’ imprisonment, as was assault of a police officer in the execution of his duty. After the 2003 Act, all summary offences enacted from that point onwards were punishable by a sentence of 51 weeks divided, as the Minister has explained. Why have a separate offence of assaulting a police officer, a Customs officer or an immigration official when the penalty is exactly the same as for common assault? Presumably, common assault could be assimilated into the other offences dealt with under the 2003 Act and the penalty for it could be replaced by the 51 weeks, which is applicable to all summary offences from that point onwards. If the penalty for assaulting whoever, whether it is a member of the public, an immigration official or a customs official, is still going to be 51 weeks, why have a special offence created under this Bill?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
693 c68-9GC 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Complaints Children Detainees Crimes against the person Borders Families Immigration Languages Discrimination Immigration officers Police Scotland Sentencing Training
Legislation
UK Borders Bill 2006-07
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk