asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that magistrates have sufficient powers to punish persistent crimes of vandalism and violence to the person.

Yes. The maximum penalties available to magistrates for the more serious examples of these offences are a fine of £1,000 or six months' imprisonment or both; and they have power to commit for sentence to the Crown court in any case where, in view of the offender's character or antecedents, they consider their powers insufficient.