Police and Justice Bill

I appreciate that the proposal probably looks quite logical on paper, but does my right hon. Friend think it wise to abolish Her Majesty’s inspectorate of prisons? Under its existing management, it is extremely well regarded. At a time when our prisons are fuller than they have ever been and when there is a need for constant external pressure to ensure that we obtain value for money, is it wise to dilute those powers and subsume this effective organisation into one that is larger and blander?