§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average sentence served by those prisoners released in 1973 after serving life sentences; and what were the comparable figures for each of the previous five years.
§ Mr. William RossThe average periods served before release on licence were:
Years Months 1973 … … … 10 10 1972 … … … 9 6 1971 … … … 8 11 1970 … … … 10 4 1969 … … … 9 9 1968 … … … 9 5 These average periods take no account of prisoners serving life sentences who have been in custody for longer but who are not yet considered suitable for release on licence.