Coroners and Justice Bill
12:00 pm
Q185Mr. Edward Garnier (Harborough) (Con): I begin by asking some questions about the aspects of the Bill that refer to the sentencing council for England and Wales, which are in part 4 of the Bill, beginning at clause 100. Traditionally, it has been the duty of the Government—the Executive—to provide resources, and it has been the duty of the court independently of Government to sentence appropriately, given the facts of the case. The impression could be gained from the design of this Bill that resource is to influence sentence. Is that your impression? Perhaps I can start with the magistrates and then ask others to comment.