HC Deb 24 February 1969 vol 778 cc222-3W
Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he estimates to be the number of prisoners in England and Wales presently eligible for parole; how many have been recommended for consideration by local review committees; and how many have been released on parole since the inception of the scheme.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

The number of prisoners eligible for parole changes from day to day. Local review committees consider all eligible cases. Up to 31st January, 1969, they had submitted reports in respect of 9,521 prisoners serving determinate sentences in England and Wales. This figure includes 1,016 prisoners whose cases were reviewed for the second time. It excludes 849 prisoners who had declined to be considered for parole. The number of favourable recommendations, including those who were being recommended for the second time, was 2,728. Up to the same date, the Parole Board had recommended 1,301 prisoners for release on licence and these recommendations have been accepted.