HL Deb 25 July 1991 vol 531 cc75-7WA
Lord Foot

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will introduce into the procedures for the release of non-mandatory life serving prisoners in Scotland and Northern Ireland, provisions similar to those envisaged for England in order to comply with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Thynne and others.

under the age of one year in Scotland and in Northern Ireland for 1988, 1989 and 1990, in total and for each month of the year and also as a percentage of infant deaths from all causes.

Lord Strathclyde

The figures requested for Scotland and Northern Ireland are given in the tables. The tables show the number of deaths registered with any mention of "cot death", "sudden infant death syndrome" (or similar term) on the death certificate, irrespective of whether it did or did not appear as the underlying cause of death.

Lord Strathclyde

For Scotland, as soon as there is a suitable opportunity to introduce the necessary legislation. In their response of July 1990 to the Kincraig Report on Parole and Related Issues, the Government stated their intention to bring forward separate legislation to introduce new arrangements for the release of prisoners in Scotland. This will include provision to give effect to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in respect of prisoners serving discretionary life sentences in Scotland.

Northern Ireland Ministers will be considering the introduction of similar procedures for the release of non-mandatory life sentence prisoners in the light of procedures introduced in Great Britain and the different arrangements for review of life sentences which operate in the Province.