§ Mr. LepperTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress made by his Department in considering the report evaluating the Norfolk and Greater Manchester pilot schemes for community penalties for fine defaulters and persistent petty offending published on 29 February 2000; and when he will make an announcement on bringing these measures into effect throughout England and Wales. [156483]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Government are still considering their response to the report on these new sentencing options, which have resource implications. A decision will be made in due course whether to bring these measures into effect throughout England and Wales.