Offender Management Bill

My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons amendments and reasons be now considered. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. [The page and line references are to Bill 53 as first printed for the Commons.] 6: Page 3, line 21, leave out ““Secretary of State”” and insert ““probation boards and probation trusts”” The Commons disagree to Lords Amendments Nos. 6, 9, 12 and 13 for the following Reason- 6A: Because it is an essential feature of Part 1 of the Bill that the commissioning function in Clause 3(2) is exercised by the Secretary of State. 8: Page 3, line 35, at end insert- ““(3A) If it appears to the Secretary of State that sufficient provision of probation services is not being, or will not be, made in accordance with the arrangements under subsection (2), he shall- (a) make contractual or other arrangements with any other person for the making of the probation provision; or (b) make the probation provision himself.”” The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 8 but propose the following Amendment in lieu- 8A: Page 3, line 35, at end insert- ““(3A) The Secretary of State may make provision for the performance of any function to which section 2(1)(c) applies by making arrangements under subsection (2) above providing for the delegation of that function to the other person.””