Clause 84
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
6:00 pm
David Burrowes (Shadow Minister, Justice; Enfield, Southgate, Conservative)
I endorse many of the comments made by the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome. The convoluted way in which the Government have sought to deal with young offenders might be a response to the amendment that he tabled. It also illustrates the problems inherent within the violent offender orders. The more they try to deal with offenders who need special consideration, the more one sees that they have problems. That seems to be highlighted by the new clause and the way in which it will deal with those who are under 18, and those who are under 17 when the orders are made, and the complications that arise. I will be interested to hear the Minister’s response to amendment No. 352 and his justification for the new clause. Although it might improve the situation, it could raise more questions than answers about the need for offender orders in the first place.