PROBATION BIOMETRIC MACHINES

That this House expresses its concern that the probation service in England and Wales is intending, on a pilot basis, to introduce biometric machines to which offenders on community orders or licence would report; understands that the machine would ask the offender basic questions and use a finger print in order to recognise the individual; believes that such machines should not be used to replace, in any circumstances, face-to-face contact with experienced probation staff; and urges the Government as a matter of urgency to review this policy.