§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had since 1 May 1997 with the Association of Chief Officers of Probation on alternatives to custody; and if he will make a statement. [40820]
§ Ms QuinHome Office Ministers have had a number of meetings with the Association of Chief Officers of Probation over the past year, in which we have discussed ways of improving the effectiveness and credibility of the current range of community sentences, the new sentences for which the Crime and Disorder Bill provides and the Association's suggestions for adding further sentencing options.