HC Deb 16 March 1970 vol 798 c51W
Mr. Wylie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations have been made by Her Majesty's Judges in Scotland in terms of Section 1(2) of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act, 1965.

Mr. Ross

Since the coming into operation of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act, 1965, Her Majesty's Judges have recommended under Section 1(2) of the Act that 11 persons should serve minimum periods of imprisonment before release as shown in the table below.

Recommended minimum period of imprisonment
Year Number of Recommendations
12 15 20 25
years years years years
1967 4 4
1968 1 1
1969 4 4*
1970 2 1 1
* Four persons convicted of one murder.