Clause 2
Offender Management Bill
3:15 pm
Gerry Sutcliffe (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Bradford South, Labour)
That seems to be an appropriate route.
I understand the concerns. All of us have said in Committee, as well as in public debates and in the House, that these are matters about which there is a great deal of concern. I acknowledge the concern of the people who work in the probation service, because the Bill is about their future, where their service is going and what their contribution is to be. Our consultations and discussions—not only the consultations connected with the Bill but the other discussions that will have to take place on how we formulate the trusts and how we move forward on the services—will include the trade unions. I have always believed that we will not get change if we do not take people with us. We have to take the work force with us, because if we do not do so, we will not achieve that change. We have important things to do.
In the spirit of what we are trying to achieve, I hope that the amendment will be withdrawn. I will then go away and consider how to develop the measure in a more positive way, so that we do not miss anybody out. That is not our intention, and I know that it is not the intention of Opposition Members. We have to find our way through this, because ensuring that we maximise the consultation is a key area.
On the annual report, again it is important to publish the consultation. We will come to the responses to the previous consultation, which were not all in opposition to what the Government were trying to achieve, because people accepted some elements of it.
The Bill has changed from the initial Bill introduced in 2005. For example, we have listened to what people have said about the structure of NOMS, which has changed dramatically since its inception. I have explained the position as much as I can, but in the spirit of moving forward, I shall take the issue away and see what further amendments we can introduce in Committee. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will withdraw his amendment.