Member

Does the Minister believe that the change will result in more community-based sentences for marginalised ethnic groups or fewer? The Committee needs to believe that sufficient safeguards will be in place as a result of the change the Bill will make. Although the words of the noble Lord, Lord Timpson, on equality before the law appear just and fair, I fear that, if this change is in the Bill, the exact opposite will occur in some cases. This will result in miscarriages of justice in some instances, which I am convinced is not the Minister’s intention.