Member

This was all canvassed extensively at Second Reading. The prohibition proposed in the Bill would prevent the Sentencing Council taking that position, even where there was strong evidence that, first, such a cohort is more likely to be harshly treated than others in practice; and, secondly, that judges would be greatly assisted by pre-sentencing reports in sentencing members of such cohorts and in avoiding discrimination. Although it may be that the obvious case is that of race, the possibilities encompass—as the Government acknowledge and, indeed, aver—all the groups covered by the various amendments proposed by noble Lords.