§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in his review of sentencing policy, extending the right of appeal against lenient sentences to include the offence of the sale of drugs to children will be considered. [134532]
§ Mr. BoatengRights of appeal, whether by the prosecution or the defence, are not within the terms of reference of the current Review of the Sentencing Framework.
However, on 24 July my hon. Friend the Minister of State announced an extension of the Attorney-General's powers to refer unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal for review. From 21 August 2000, the Attorney-General has been able to refer sentences imposed for drug trafficking offences, including the offence of supplying a controlled drug. There is no separate offence of supplying drugs to children.