HC Deb 19 November 1964 vol 702 cc79-80W
36. Mr. Ensor

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Her Majesty's Government will set up a committee to inquire into the new methods of the prevention of crime and treatment of convicted persons now in operation in a number of countries in Western Europe.

Mr. George Thomas

The Royal Commission which was appointed earlier this year to make a fundamental review of our penal system, will no doubt inform itself in the course of its work about penal practice abroad. Her Majesty's Government are also represented on the European Committee on Crime Problems, a committee of the Council of Europe. The experience of Western European countries will certainly be taken into account in considering these problems, but my right hon. Friend sees no need for a committee to be set up especially for the purpose.