§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many life sentences have been referred to him since he became Home Secretary; what was the racial origin of each prisoner; in how many cases he has(a) increased the sentence recommended, (b) reduced the sentence recommended and (c) not varied the sentence; by what date he expects all those serving life sentences will have been informed of the sentence they are to serve; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydSince he took office, my right hon. and learned Friend has received 151 reports from the judiciary in respect of prisoners sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment. Details of their ethnic origin would be available only at disproportionate cost. The cases are being processed in accordance with the arrangements set out in my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Burton (Sir I. Lawrence) of 4 November 1993, at columns376–78. The gist of the relevant judicial recommendations has been disclosed to 128 of these prisoners, and representations have been received from 26 of them. The period for retribution and deterrence—the tariff—has not been set in any of these cases.
Also, in accordance with the arrangements referred to above, retrospective disclosure is being given to those prisoners whose tariffs have already been set. To date, 91 such disclosures have been made. Representations have been received from six prisoners, four of whom have received decisions.
We aim to complete the process of tariff setting and retrospective disclosure for all prisoners currently in custody, by the end of this year.