§ 32. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of the members of the parole board who released Arthur Skingle after his record of violence; and whether he will give new guidance to parole boards.
§ Mr. MaudlingThis prisoner was not on parole. He was nearing the end of the 7-year sentence imposed on him in March, 1967, being due for release on 18th October, and was selected for the pre-release employment scheme. Under this scheme, he was temporarily released each day to engage in employment, and was allowed periods of home leave. The authority for his temporary release was 405W Rule 6 of the Prison Rules, 1964. Instructions to prisons now make it clear that men with recent records of serious violence are unsuitable for the scheme.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, on what advice, and on what authority parole was granted to Arthur Skingle.
§ Mr. MaudlingI would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills).