HC Deb 09 August 1972 vol 842 cc478-9W
Mr. Dell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he or his Department authorised the publication of the Council of Europe Directorate of Legal Affairs Newsletter on legislative activities, No. 3, April, 1972, of a statement suggesting that the abolition of mandatory suspension in the United Kingdom was a method of keeping offenders out of prison; and whether, in view of recent information from his Department that the effect of this abolition will probably be an immediate increase in the prison population, which may be substantial, he will now issue a correction.

Mr. Carlisle

The contents of this Newsletter, including the paragraph subheading to which I take the right hon.

Member to be referring, are the responsibility of the Directorate of Legal Affairs of the Council of Europe, and no question of authorisation by member Governments arises. The Newsletter is, I understand, compiled from published sources. I see no need to seek a correction.