HL Deb 26 July 1999 vol 604 c137WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will request the Court of Appeal to issue guidelines to all courts on appropriate sentencing for convicted women, in accordance with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; and, if not, why not. [HL3692]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The relevant provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 relate to sentencing guidelines for specific offences, rather than particular categories of offenders. The Home Secretary therefore has no power under the Act to direct the Sentencing Advisory Panel to propose to the Court of Appeal that it issue guidelines on the sentencing of women.