§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of minimum recommended sentences imposed by the High Court in Scotland for each year from 1965 to 1985; and what recommendations were made.
§ Mr. John MacKayI regret that this information is not maintained in the form requested. Accordingly, the available information which follows may not be comprehensive.
Number of minimum recommended sentences Number Length 1965 1 15 years 1967 3 15 years (3 sentences) 1968 1 15 years 1969 4 12 years (4 sentences) 1970 2 20 years and 25 years 1971 1 17 years 1974 8 12 years, 15 years, 16 years, 18 years (3 sentences), 25 years (2 sentences) 1976 1 15 years 1977 4 15 years. 30 years and 'for the rest of his life' (2 sentences) 1978 5 15 years (4 sentences), indefinitely (1 sentence) 1979 1 15 years 1980 3 10 years and 12 years (2 sentences) 1981 3 8 years and 10 years (2 sentences) 1982 1 20 years 1983 4 10 years, 12 years, 15 years and 20 years 1985 4 15 years, 20 years (2 sentences) and 30 years