§ 11. Mr. Hileyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, when he is giving consideration to releasing prisoners on parole who have been convicted of robbery or robbery with violence 1500 involving large sums of money, he will regard the amount of restitution to be made by the prisoners as a predominant factor in deciding whether or not to grant parole.
§ Mr. MaudlingThis is a factor taken into account by both the Parole Board and myself. Its importance has to be assessed in the circumstances of each case.
§ Mr. HileyDoes my right hon. Friend agree that such crimes are very carefully planned, even on a scientific basis, and that if those who have been sentenced have to take probably only a third of their punishment in prison they may regard that as a good incentive for further crime?
§ Mr. MaudlingQuestions of granting parole are extremely difficult. In the short time in which I have been at the Home Office, nothing has given me more concern than individual cases of granting parole. Therefore, I cannot agree that restitution should be a predominant factor, though I agree that it is one of the factors which should always be taken into account.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs there any prospect of the engaging habit spreading by which a prisoner who has been convicted of robbery of a large sum of money has it sent to him in prison so that it may be intercepted by the authorities?
§ Mr. MaudlingI have not heard of that. I will look into it.