§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue guidelines on consistency relating to speeding penalties. [101169]
§ Hilary BennThe Magistrates' Association already produces sentencing guidelines for their members, which cover many of the main offences dealt with by magistrates, including speeding. The Criminal Justice Bill contains provision for the establishment of a Sentencing Guidelines Council. The Council will be responsible for setting guidelines for the full range of criminal offences and will be established as soon as possible after the enabling legislation is enacted. It is too198W early to say at this point how soon the Council will turn its attention to the offence of speeding, and road traffic offences generally.