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Offender Management Bill

moved Amendment No. 53: 53: After Clause 4, insert the following new Clause— ““Factors for determining arrangements under section 3(2) (1) For the purposes of deciding with which other person to make contractual or other arrangements under section 3(2), the Secretary of State— (a) shall by order specify factors, relating to the quality and value for money offered by the other person, by reference to which such decisions shall be made; (b) shall not set minimum targets for the amount of probation provision to be made by persons within the private or voluntary sectors. (2) The Secretary of State shall, after making each arrangement under section 3(2), publish a report explaining the basis on which the decision to select the relevant person was made by reference to the factors specified in the order made under section 5(1)(a).”” The noble Baroness said: The proposed new clause is simple and clear. Again, it seeks to clarify. It places a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that factors of quality and value for money are taken into account when contracts are agreed. It also places a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that a report is published that gives the reasoning behind any decision that is taken. That makes sure that the process is transparent and can therefore be questioned, which in turn brings discipline to the whole process. It is also in line with commitments made in the other place by the Home Secretary, Dr Reid, at Third Reading on 28 February, to the effect that probation work would no longer be put out to contract on an arbitrary percentage basis and that such a report would be presented. I beg to move.