§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his assessment of the effect on the prison population of the implementation of section 47 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
§ Mr. Mayhew:The effect of bringing into force section 47 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 depends on the extent to which courts impose partly suspended sentences as an 359W alternative to immediate imprisonment rather than fully suspended sentences of imprisonment or non-custodial penalties. On the most favourable assumptions the effect could be a reduction in the prison population of up to 4,000.