§ 13. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now seek to change the rules so that the Parole Board can give its reasons for refusing an application for parole.
§ Dr. SummerskillBefore reaching a decision on the desirability of giving reasons, about which we shall need to enter into various consultations, we are awaiting the results of a feasibility experiment by a number of local review committees. This is necessary because the majority of parole refusals result from recommendations of local review committees, not from those of the Parole Board.
§ Mr. MartenCould not the prison governor have the prisoner in his office to explain the reasons why parole—however the decision is arrived at—is being refused, so that the prisoner will know what he can do better if he is doing something wrong?
§ Dr. SummerskillI appreciate that there is a strong argument for giving reasons. The problem is that the Parole Board does not always find it very easy to itemise the reasons in a clear and concise way. That is what we are looking into.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettWhat safeguard is there against prisoners having parole refused because wrong information has become attached to their files?
§ Dr. SummerskillIf my hon. Friend can give me an example of this happening I shall be pleased to look into it.
§ Miss FookesWill the Minister institute an inquiry into the entire parole system, as recommended by the Expenditure Committee report on prisons, which committee reported almost three months ago? Is the Minister aware that we are eagerly awaiting an answer to this report?
§ Dr. SummerskillWe are looking at the report now. There will be an answer as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Kilroy-SilkWill my hon. Friend say when the consultations with the local review bodies are likely to be completed and whether the results of those consultations will be published? Can she give a clear idea of what form this feasibility study is taking?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe local review committee inquiry will, we hope, be able to report to the Home Office early in the new year. Following that, we shall need to have consultations with the Parole Board to see whether it is possible to set up a parole system in which reasons are given.