HC Deb 21 February 1958 vol 582 cc183-4W
Sir K. Joseph

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the present arrangements for the trial of offenders allow sufficient opportunity for the courts to be given the information about an individual offender which they need in considering what treatment is suitable for him; and, if not, what action he proposes to take.

Mr. R. A. Butler

This is an important problem to which I have been giving much thought, in consultation with my noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor. We have come to the conclusion that the arrangements for bringing offenders to trial need to be examined with particular reference to the problem of providing the courts with the information which they need in determining treatment and we propose shortly to set up an interdepartmental committee for the purpose. I am not yet in a position to announce the composition of the committee or its precise terms of reference, but I shall do so as soon as possible.