§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they propose to release William Allen, who has only served two years of a 14-year sentence for attempted murder and other crimes.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Lyell)Under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy William Allen has had seven years of a 14-year sentenced remitted. Under normal rules of remission in Northern Ireland he will have served the equivalent of seven years in prison (plus additional time for loss of remission due to infringement of prison rules, if any) at the date of his release.
It is not practice to give details of reasons for release under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy.