§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the length of time the two boys sentenced for the murder of James Bulger will be detained.
§ Mr. HowardI have not yet received the views of the judiciary on this case. When I do, each offender will be informed, as soon as is reasonably practicable, of the substance of the judicial recommendations. The boys, or those acting on their behalf, will then be given the opportunity to submit written representations before I decide the period to be served for retribution and deterrence. My decision will be conveyed to the two boys —or their representatives—and, if it differs from the period recommended by the judiciary, reasons will be given.
The arrangements for determining the period of custody which those convicted of murder are required to serve in order to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence were set out in my replies of 27 July, Official 666W Report, columns 863-65, and 4 November, Official Report, columns 376-78, to the hon. and learned Member for Burton (Sir I. Lawrence).