(2 months ago)
Lords ChamberWe have plenty of time. We will hear from the Cross Benches first and then from the noble Viscount.
(2 months ago)
Lords ChamberIt is the turn of the Cross Benches.
(5 months, 2 weeks ago)
Lords Chamber(1 year ago)
Lords ChamberMy Lords, I remind noble Lords that we are taking questions on this Urgent Question. We need short, sharp, succinct and to-the-point questions.
My Lords, does the Minister agree that, in general, a community sentence should be imposed rather than a custodial one? In that context, would he agree that, in general, and not confined to the cohorts referred to in the guidelines, there should be a pre-sentence report to assist the court in determining whether a defendant is likely to be compliant with a community sentence and also to benefit from one?