§ Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
§ Mr. DowdI shall not detain the Committee too long. The Secretary of State said earlier that clause 2 had been included to permit the orderly release of prisoners. I am sure that the House regards that as a desirable end, but I do not understand how that is connected with the contents of clause 2. Surely, it would be simple if the Act came into force on the day of Royal Assent and would have the virtue of clarity. I am not sure quite what else the statutory instrument envisaged in clause 2 would contain.
Given that the Secretary of State said that he envisaged the Act having effect by Christmas, and therefore being passed by early December, I should appreciate a little expansion on the reference to permitting orderly release.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewI have outlined the substantial numbers of prisoners who will benefit immediately from the provisions. We hope that Royal Assent will be granted quickly, but a substantial number of practical administrative arrangements must be undertaken before the prisoners in question can be released. It is our intention that they should be released before Christmas and as soon as is practicable, but I have to provide, as I do in clause 2, for an orderly and timely undertaking of the arrangements that have to be made. There is nothing more to it than that.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill.