Parole Board (Hansard, 14 July 1977)

§ 13. Mr. Freud
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next proposes to meet the Chairman of the Parole Board.

§ Mr. John
When either of them sees the need for a meeting.

§ Mr. Freud
When the Minister meets the Chairman of the Parole Board, will he ensure that the chairman has fully digested and taken account of what I shall have said in tonight's Adjournment debate?

§ Mr. John
I welcome the trailer for that debate in which the lion. Member and I shall take part either tonight or tomorrow morning. I wish that the hon. Member had been more explicit about what he will tell me in that debate.

§ Mr. Edwin Wainwright
In his discussion with the chairman, will the Minister urge him to take note of what may be happening to people who are being released on parole after they have committed murder and rape? Will he make sure that he has consultations with the chairman before such persons are allowed out of prison?

§ Mr. John
My hon. Friend has lumped together two categories that are not analogous. Parole is not available to those who have committed murder. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary examines any proposal to release a murderer, or any life-sentence prisoner on licence.

§ Mr. Eldon Griffiths
Will the Minister make clear that in his discussions with the chairman he will take account of the fact that an early release of Myra Hindley or the Shepherds Bush police murderers would be utterly repugnant to public opinion, and particularly to the police service?

§ Mr. John
The hon. Member does not seem to understand that these matters are submitted to and considered by the Home Secretary. The case for the release of Myra Hindley has not been submitted to him, and on a number of occasions I have made it clear that there is no early prospect of her release. That should be clear beyond peradventure. The Shepherds Bush murderers are in the same position. We have received no proposals from the Parole Board for their early release.