Clause 27
Offender Management Bill
11:45 am
Gerry Sutcliffe (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Bradford South, Labour)
I am grateful to the hon. and learned Gentleman. I want to give the Committee as much information as I can, because I agree that the issue needs to be examined. I hope that he is reassured by what I have said about the investment that the Youth Justice Board is making. I will pursue the individual cases to which he referred, because such practices are clearly not acceptable. The contracts contain provisions for comfort breaks and protection for individuals, but if they are not being observed, that must be addressed.
I believe that clause 27 is entirely sensible. The hon. and learned Gentleman’s amendments would not meet his requirements and fall short of existing provisions. With the assurance that I will look into the matter, I hope that he will withdraw his amendment.