§ 21. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of setting up a committee to inquire into the treatment and methods of dealing with the habitual criminal, particularly with a view to securing powers to review such cases periodically?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Short)The appointment, composition and terms of reference of the Committee were announced in the Press on the 24th instant. The terms of reference are wide enough to enable the Committee, should it think fit, to rcommend the periodical reviewing of sentences on recidivists or habitual offenders. The question whether new powers would be required in order to enable such review would depend on the nature of the recommendation.
§ Mr. FREEMANWill this inquiry cover all types of cases and prisoners, and will the public have an opportunity of submitting evidence?
§ Mr. SHORTWith regard to the latter part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, that is entirely a matter for the committee. As far as I am aware, the terms of reference are extremely wide.