§ 4. Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)If he will make a statement on his plans to change the name of the Probation Service. [112575]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Paul Boateng)I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the opportunity to announce that we have listened to the representations of members of the House and others. Community punishment and rehabilitation will still be included in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill, but in its aims for the service rather than as a name. We intend that the new unified service will be called the National Probation Service of England and Wales.
§ Mr. BercowMy joy at that reply is literally boundless. May I tell the Minister that, in the light of the 87 objections to his proposals that have already been publicly expressed, I was minded to ask him whether he would be willing today to concede gracefully, to withdraw his silly plan and to earn the shower of plaudits that an omission of error would bring? He has done so, and I warmly congratulate him—at the risk of inflicting the gravest possible damage on his future political career.
§ Mr. BoatengI am delighted to have brought a little joy into the hon. Gentleman's life.
§ Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow)I, too, was surprised at my right hon. Friend's response. I wondered whether rehabilitation within the community punishment service could not be called "Recompense", which seemed better than CRAPS, CARPS or the other alternatives.
§ Mr. BoatengMy hon. Friend has made her point.