§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are given to magistrates concerning imprisoning women who have just given birth. [30384]
§ Mr. MacleanThe Government do not issue guidelines to the courts as to how they should use their discretion in dealing with individual cases. The Magistrates Association does issue guidelines to its members, but we are not aware that the association has provided any advice on the treatment of women who have just given birth.