HC Deb 01 February 1973 vol 849 cc457-8W
Mr. Ronald King Murray

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy not to propose changes in the law relating to punishment for murder different from changes proposed for England and Wales; and to that end if he will initiate discussions on the differing views of the Emslie Committee and the Criminal Law Revision Committee as to judges' recommendations concerning the minimum period which should be served by persons sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

My main concern, in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend, the Lord Advocate, must be to consider the needs of the Scottish situation. But we shall certainly discuss with our colleagues with responsibilities in England and Wales the differences in view between the Emslie Report and that of the Criminal Law Revision Committee on the penalty for murder.