§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to reduce the number of convicted persons held in prison where the crime for which they were sentenced did not involve violence or illegal entry.
§ Mr. John PattenWe are developing further the ideas for encouraging greater use of community penalties in the Green Paper "Punishment Custody and the Community" (Cm 424). We have already taken steps to reduce the number of young adults in custody. We have issued national standards for community service orders. By ensuring that community service is rigorous and demanding, we hope to encourage its use for offenders who might otherwise receive a custodial sentence.