Member

Amendment 29, which has been placed in this group and is in my name, would exempt sex offenders and domestic abusers from being eligible for early release at the one-third point of their sentence under the new sentencing regime. Across the House, we have already discussed the seriousness of sexual offences and domestic abuse and the need to improve the way these crimes are handled. In Committee, noble Lords were told that most offenders would not be eligible for early release at the one-third point; unfortunately, this is not the case. The vast majority of sexual and domestic abuse offenders will not be serving extended determinate sentences and will therefore be eligible for early release under the present scheme. In these circumstances, unless the Minister can provide appropriate and sufficient assurances, I will be minded to test the opinion of the House on Amendments 20 and 29.