§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the likely rise in the prison population as a result of changes to the parole system outlined in the Crime (Sentences) Bill; and if he will make a statement. [4675]
§ Mr. MacleanThe Crime (Sentences) Bill requires the courts to take account of the abolition of parole and the changes in early release arrangements when passing sentence, with a view to ensuring that, in general, prisoners should spend broadly the same length of time in prison as they do now.
§ Mr. CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that a practice direction is issued on completion of the Crime (Sentences) Bill on the appropriateness of sentence lengths; and if he will make a statement. [4677]
§ Mr. MacleanIt is for the Lord Chief Justice to determine whether to issue a practice direction.