HC Deb 25 January 1977 vol 924 cc517-8W
Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are serving life sentences at the present time.

Mr. John

On 31st December 1976 the number was 1,263. This includes persons detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure under Section 53(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 or for life under Section 53(2) of that Act, and 27 persons who had been previously released on licence and subsequently recalled to prison.

Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men were sentenced to life imprisonment during the years 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976.

Mr. John

The information is as follows:

MALES SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
England and Wales
1972 … … … 88
1973 … … … 111
1974 … … … 142
1975 … … … 138

Information for 1976 is not yet available.