HC Deb 30 June 1999 vol 334 c182W
Mr. Salter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made to implement sections 80 and 81 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [89576]

Mr. Straw

Section 80 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 places a duty on the Court of Appeal to consider producing or revising sentencing guidelines when a suitable case arises.

Section 81 of the Act establishes a new Sentencing Advisory Panel which must be consulted by the Court whenever it decides that guidelines are necessary. The Panel may also propose that the Court frame or revise guidelines and I may direct it to do so.

Both sections come into force on 1 July 1999.

The Lord Chancellor will appoint the following members to the Panel:

  • Professor Martin Wasik (Chairman)
  • Professor Andrew Ashworth
  • Pamela Brown
  • Dr. Michael Chan
  • Anne Fuller
  • Heather Harker
  • Professor Frances Heidensohn
  • Peter Jones
  • David Mallen
  • Judge Michael Mettyear
  • Sir Richard Tilt.