Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
11:45 am
Mr. Hanson: There is a difference of view on the likely response to clause 10. This afternoon we will hear from the Magistrates Association, which holds a similar view to that of the hon. Member for Cambridge. Our view is that rather than up-tariffing sentences, the measure will result in a down-tariffing to community sentences. Our assessment is that there will be a saving of approximately 400 prison places as a result of these measures. There is a genuine difference of opinion. I can only give you the Government’s view that faced with that choice, sentencers will opt for a community sentence rather than a custodial sentence. We may wish to explore as a Committee whether sentencers share that view—I suspect that the Magistrates Association will not—but that is our judgment and we must stick with it.