Criminal Justice: Women

My Lords, earlier this week, a former colleague from another place asked me how I was getting on here, and he said, ““The truth is that you have better debates than us””. Today exemplifies that statement. I am very grateful to all noble Lords who have taken part. I opened my remarks by saying that it was impossible for me to summarise everything that was in my report. It was wonderful to note how many noble Lords today have done that for me and have raised so many different issues to which I drew attention. I have been heartened by the response of Ministers to my report. My noble friend Lord Hunt will know that it is not my way to get on my feet and make remarks in the Chamber. Over my parliamentary life I have found that it is far better to talk to people one to one to persuade them, because to get on one’s feet can sometimes paint them into a corner, and I have never done that. It has been marvellous to have had voicemail messages, letters and phone calls over the weekend, saying, ““Can we talk to you about this?””, ““How do you think we should do that?””, ““What is the best way of achieving something else?””. In my experience, there has never been such cross-departmental interest, with Ministers from the Department of Health, DCLG, the Home Office all coming to me and saying, ““Please can we talk to you about how we make this work?””. Someone not long ago said to me, ““If you are not careful, you are going to be known as the champion for women in prison””. I actually cannot think of a better epitaph, because not many people have been that concerned about women in prison. Lots of people who work in prisons and who work in organisations that deal with women in prison who will read today’s report and be gratified that so many of us are interested. I beg leave to withdraw the Motion for Papers. Motion for Papers, by leave, withdrawn.