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Business of the House

The hon. Gentleman raises an issue that is regularly discussed in the House and with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. Although my right hon. Friend would accept that there are various circumstances that can lead to a reduction in a sentence, those reductions are not automatic. They are a necessary part of our sentencing system. They provide proper control over prisoners in prison, and although the hon. Gentleman is right to point out that some people are not aware that discounts are available for good behaviour, the great majority of the public are aware of that. Indeed, in my experience most people assume that the discounts are rather greater than they are in reality.