§ 12. Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of electronic tagging. [6159]
§ Mr. SackvilleMore than 230 offenders have now been sentenced and tagged under curfew orders. The trials show that the curfews are increasingly valued by the courts as a flexible and effective punishment.
§ Mr. EvansI thank the Minister for his reply. As the shambles opposite have got the number 22 on their minds, will my hon. Friend tell me whether on no fewer than 22 occasions they voted against every piece of legislation that we tried to introduce to put criminals inside, where they belong? Can he tell me whether tagging works in Barbados or on safari, because that is where that lot send the pint-sized Rambos to get their corrective training? Does tagging work in Barbados? That is what I want to know.
§ Mr. SackvilleMy hon. Friend can be assured that electronic tagging is a tough punishment, and goes down 1198 extremely badly with criminals, which is why the courts are imposing it for the upper end of the offences for which it is intended. I suspect that we shall hear many voices among the Opposition moaning that it is bad luck on the criminal.