§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has supporting the Government's proposals advanced in the Green Paper on the nature of community sentences; when the White Paper on this subject will be published; and if he will take into account evidence and recommendations from the probation service in this report. [17502]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerUnder the current legislation, the courts are able to choose from a limited range of community orders when determining a community sentence. A new integrated sentence would give clear practical benefits to the courts, including greater choice and flexibility in the type of punishment served, better matched to the circumstances of the individual offence or offences, as well as more say in the way these punishments are carried out.
My right hon. and learned Friend has no current plans to publish a White Paper, but will consider carefully the results of the public consultation, including any comments from the probation service.