§ 48. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given the parole boards on the number of prisoners whose release on parole they are to advise; and if he will instruct them that each case is to be 155W considered on merit alone, without reference to the total number of those released but bearing in mind the safety of the public, the record of each applicant for parole and the likelihood of his future good conduct, and the urgent importance of reducing overcrowding in prisons.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe Answer to the first part of the Question is "None". The guidance I have given reflects the considerations suggested in the second part of the Question, except that the reduction of overcrowding is not a relevant factor.