Member

I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Jackson for his Amendments 7 to 11, which complement this approach. His amendments, sensibly, would remove the presumption of suspended sentences for those convicted of assaulting emergency workers or public service providers, burglary, offences involving knives or other bladed weapons, terrorism and the failure to surrender to custody. These are all important issues to raise and concern offenders whom the public would wish, and indeed expect, to serve their sentences in custody. I trust that the Government will give these amendments serious consideration, as they provide practical targeted safeguards for public protection.