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Community Order (Review by Specified Courts) Order 2007

I note the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Henley. I agree with him that perhaps we should debate less than we do. This being a positive order has given us the opportunity to discuss it. The general answer to the point of the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, is that, as I said in my opening speech, there is a large amount of anecdotal evidence that the system is working well. There will now be a more formal review. We have every hope, as do the local people, that it will show that these are very positive and good initiatives in the local community. The noble Lord asked specifically how often reviews take place. In Liverpool and in Salford, how regularly cases are reviewed has been at the discretion of the court. Firmer guidance is being prepared with NOMS, which will cover the regularity of reviews. That will be made available for the new courts prior to the introduction of the order. He also asked whether the impact on probation resources has been considered. The proposal to extend the power to review community orders on a pilot basis had the full agreement of NOMS. Negotiations have taken place locally within the projects to ensure that the probation services and the courts can cope with the additional burden of the review hearings in preparation for them. A small amount of funding will be provided by NOMS, by the community justice programme, to cover the additional cost. Finally, the noble Lord, Lord Thomas, asked whether this provision has cut down on breach proceedings. Again, anecdotal evidence from staff is that there has been a reduction in breach proceedings. Only a small number of offenders have so far been subject to reviews, so we cannot at this moment draw robust conclusions. Returning to generality, there is a very strong feeling in Liverpool and Salford that this initiative is a very good thing and has had very positive results; but I absolutely take on board the point the noble Lord made that there must be a robust review that demonstrates that it is indeed working. I commend the order. On Question, Motion agreed to.