Offender Management Bill

I, too, have a great deal of sympathy with these amendments and particularly with the comments made by the noble Baroness, Lady Linklater of Butterstone. I am particularly concerned about who will be serving on the probation boards or trusts. I hope that we will begin to hear the Minister’s reactions on that. The need for confidence—the confidence of local people—has been mentioned. The word confidence has come back; it partly echoes what the noble Baroness, Lady Howarth, was saying yesterday about the authority that those undertaking probation services must have to do their job properly. I question the meaning of the amendment moved by the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay. The noble Baroness, Lady Linklater, pointed out that there was a ““may”” in the government amendments whereas she was looking for a ““must”” as regards entering into partnerships in order to make them effective. Proposed new subsection (2) of the new clause states: "““Probation boards and probation trusts may make contractual or other arrangements with any other person for the making of the probation provision””," but proposed new subsection (3) states: "““Arrangements under subsection (2) may in particular authorise or require that other person””" to do (a), (b) and (c). Is the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, requiring that, in certain circumstances, there will be that formal ““must”” as regards the authority? That is certainly what I would like and it is why I support what the noble Baroness, Lady Linklater, said.