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Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

I wish I had never used ““uptariffing”” and I will now never be forgiven or forgotten for it. I did not mean to imply that the debate was a meandering of pleasantries that had no impact on the reality of young people in custody or going through the youth justice system. If noble Lords thought that, I apologise. I take this issue very seriously indeed. As far as political pressure is concerned, inevitably we are all conditioned by public opinion and there has been a debate for some years about the appropriateness of custody. However, I think I have made it clear from what I have said today that we regard custody as the last resort. The development of youth rehabilitation orders is a reflection of that, and intensive supervision and surveillance programmes are part of that philosophy. I have said that I have a problem with Amendment No. 6 because we think it would unduly fetter the discretion of the judiciary. I am very willing to take back Amendment No. 5 to see whether the Government could support it or something like it.