Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 23 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 April 2001. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Thursday, 26 April 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the ratio of specific sentence reports to the total of pre-sentence reports plus specific sentence reports in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000 and (c) 2000-2001. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the ratio of specific sentence reports to the total of pre-sentence reports plus specific sentence reports in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000 and (c) 2000-2001. [158929] Mr. Boateng: Specific sentence reports became used nationally only at the end of 1999. Figures are available only for the first three quarters of 2000. The proportion of pre-sentence reports that were specific sentence reports was: 1{st} Quarter--5 per cent. 2{nd} Quarter--7 per cent. 3{rd} Quarter--8 per cent. The figures are estimates as the definitions varied slightly in different probation areas.

Secondary information