- 10 - The CPT wishes to be in a position to organise 200 days of visits per year as from the year 2000 (as compared to 100 days in 1996 and 120 days in the current year). This would represent approximately twelve periodic visits totalling 140 to 150 days, the remaining visit days being earmarked for ad hoc and follow-up visits. The CPT is working on the assumption of an average period of four years between periodic visits. This is a somewhat longer period than that envisaged by the Committee at the outset of its activities (at which time it had in mind an interval of two to three years). However, through the process of "on-going dialogue" and judicious recourse to ad hoc and follow-up visits, it should be possible to maintain the momentum for change between periodic visits, despite a four year interlude. Of course, more frequent periodic visits will have to be organised in certain States, in view of their size and the number of places of deprivation of liberty. 22. This substantial increase in the number of visit days will in turn render it essential to rationalise the CPT's working methods. The Committee has already taken certain steps in 1996 which should considerably enhance its effectiveness. Firstly, the CPT has introduced an accelerated procedure for the examination of its visit reports, based on the transmission of draft visit reports to Committee members well in advance of plenary meetings and their adoption without debate, save for those sections in respect of which a discussion has been specifically requested. A similar procedure has been introduced in respect of adoption of the replies which the CPT sends to States in the context of the ongoing dialogue. These procedures are now operational and are proving a success. Secondly, the CPT has decided to reduce the number of its plenary meetings from four to three. Indeed, the new accelerated procedures have made it possible to condense work at plenary level without affecting the quality of that work. Reducing the number of plenary meetings allows more resources - both human and financial - to be devoted to the CPT's principal task, namely carrying out visits. The CPT's structures and working methods will remain under review. In particular, the Committee shall seek to work increasingly in smaller groups. 23. Further, in order to sustain the above-mentioned increase in visiting days and to exploit fully the new procedures, it will be imperative to reinforce and reorganise the CPT's Secretariat. The Committee has formulated detailed proposals in this regard and it very much hopes that they will enjoy the understanding and support of the Secretary General and the Committee of Ministers.