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Offender Management Bill

My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham, for the excellent work that he has done on this legislation. The Minister seems to be optimistic about it but doubts still remain and they will continue to do so, more so on the part of probation practitioners, whom we repeatedly mention. Reform will be required and I suspect that it will be sooner rather than later. We shall not wish to say to the Government, ““We told you so””. It is well worth looking again at the arguments that have been repeatedly advanced in this House. In the mean time, I thank the Minister, the noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham, and the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, for the very important role they have performed in trying to make something out of this Bill.