Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

Part of the debate – in a Public Bill Committee at 11:26 am on 16 October 2007.

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Photo of Edward Garnier Edward Garnier Shadow Minister (Justice) 11:26, 16 October 2007

But surely you should have thought about whether the resources were available before drafting the Bill. We know that the Prison Service, for example, is being asked to make 3 per cent. efficiency savings this year; we know that there has been no increase in the Home Office budget, which is essentially a cut; and we know that the Ministry of Justice has not inherited any increase in its budget. It seems to me that we have two Departments with no money to spare introducing more things to do. However, they will not do them because the Secretary of State will not be able to certify that he has the provision to do so. Could you please explain to us, before the Bill gets very much further, why these things are in it unless you can tell the world, the public, your voters and the taxpayer that the resources are available to achieve what you intend to put into law?