§ 3.13p.m.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state their intentions regarding the future of the system of preventive detention.]
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, last year the then Home Secretary asked the 978 Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders to review the working of the preventive detention system established by the Criminal Justice Act, 1948. The Council appointed a sub-committee for this purpose, under the chairmanship of the right reverend Prelate the Lord Bishop of Exeter. The sub-committee has recently finished its work and its report is to be considered at a meeting of the Advisory Council next month. I am sure the noble Lords will agree that until the views of the full Council are known and have been considered by my right honourable friend it would be premature for the Government to make a statement.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for that very encouraging reply, and agreeing with the sentiments he has expressed, may I ask whether he is aware that long sentences for persistent petty thefts are still continuing—for example, fourteen years for the theft of an overcoat, of which a man will serve eleven years eight months, compared with the twelve years a man will serve for selling his country? Would the noble Earl not agree, now that the report is to be received, that the Government should make a statement as soon as possible thereafter?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I agree that a statement should be made as soon as possible, but only after this serious matter has been fully considered by the full Council and by my right honourable friend.