HL Deb 20 June 2003 vol 649 c149WA
Baroness Anelay of St Johns

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they have taken to implement the commitment given by the Home Secretary on 20 May (Official Report, Commons, col. 876) that he would seek pre-legislative scrutiny by the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee before proposing an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill in the House of Lords to fast-track the Law Commission recommendations on sentencing on more than one count. [HL3249]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

On 14 May 2003 my right honourable friend the Home Secretary wrote to the Lord Chief Justice, the right honourable Oliver Letwin MP, and the chairs of the Home Affairs Select Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Rights to inform them of the Government's intention to amend the Criminal Justice Bill to give effect to one of the recommendations in the Law Commission's report onThe Effective Prosecution of Multiple Offending published in October 2002.

Enclosed with the letters was a note outlining the broad scope and operation of the proposed scheme. We invited comments from the Lord Chief Justice and senior judges by 12 June.

Also on 14 May, my right honourable friend had an informal meeting with the Chair and members of the Home Affairs Select Committee at which he confirmed that he would welcome their scrutiny of these proposals.

I have placed a copy of the letters and enclosure in the Library.