HC Deb 19 July 1984 vol 64 c295W
54. Mr. Spencer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the benefits to the criminal justice system which might flow from the introduction of a separate sentence of day or weekend imprisonment.

Mr. Mellor

The introduction of sentences of day or weekend imprisonment — as discussed in the Green Paper "Intermittent Custody" published on 29 June— would be intended to enable the courts to deal appropriately with some offenders for whom a custodial sentence is required while avoiding some of the effects of continuous custody. To the extent that it diverted offenders from continuous custody, it would bring some relief to the prison system as presently constituted.

58. Mr. Hirst

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received so far to the Green Paper entitled, "Intermittent Custody".

60. Mr. Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received so far to the suggestion in his Green Paper concerning the availability of weekend imprisonment as a new custodial option for the courts.

63. Mr. Aitken

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received so far to the suggestion in his Green Paper about the introduction of a sentence of weekend imprisonment.

Mr. Mellor

The Green Paper was published on 29 June, and we have not yet received many responses to it. We are looking forward to receiving a wide range of comments when more people have had an opportunity to consider it. We have asked for comments by 28 September.