§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recommendations for minimum periods to be served by murderers have been made by judges since 1965.
§ Mr. MellorSince the power to recommend a minimum period of detention for adult prisoners convicted of murder was introduced in the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965, 188 such recommendations have been made by courts in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases since 1965 prisoners have been released before the period recommended by the trial judge under section 1(2) of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965.
§ Mr. MellorTo date three prisoners convicted of murder have been released on licence in England and Wales at a date earlier than that recommended by the trial judge under section 1(2) of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965. All three were released, in accordance with section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, on the recommendation of the Parole Board and after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and, where he was available, the trial judge.