§ Baroness MACLEOD of BORVEasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many petty sessional divisions are still unable to make community service orders.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH: Every magistrates' court in England and Wales is empowered to make community service orders in respect of offenders who live in petty sessions areas where arrangements exist for them to carry out work under such orders and who satisfy the other statutory requirements. These arrangements cover some two-thirds of the population of England and Wales, but they do not yet exist in 307 petty sessions areas. A further extension of community service will take place in August.