§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the report of the Home Office's Advisory Committee on the After-Care of Prisoners.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (EARL JELLICOE)My Lords, the Sub-Committee of the Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders, which has been reviewing the organisation of after-care, has recently completed its report. The report will be considered in the near future by the full Council, who will submit their views to my right honourable friend. I regret that I cannot at present say when the report will be published.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, does that mean that the noble Earl hopes that the report may be published in the next few weeks? Is he aware that we are extremely concerned about the present situation? As I pointed out and he agreed last week, of even the small amount spent on after-care it is costing £1 to spend 5s. These matters urgently need consideration and the Committee have been sitting for a very long time.
EARL JELLICOEI wish to reaffirm what I said to the noble Lord the other day on this question and assure him that my right honourable friend attaches the greatest importance to this matter; but, of course, he cannot publish this report until he has received it, and it is not possible for him to receive it until the full Council has itself considered it. I do not 418 think that the full Council will be able to meet to consider this report finally until the month of July.