HC Deb 28 October 1981 vol 10 cc356-7W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct the Parole Board to give its reasons for refusal to grant parole; and if he will introduce opportunities for prisoners to appeal against refusal.

Mr. Mayhew:

No. My right hon. Friend agrees with the Parole Board that the giving of reasons would be incompatible with the present parole scheme. I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 72 to 81 and apprendix M in the "Review of Parole in England and Wales" published by the Home Office in May.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any new proposals to extend parole to prisoners on shorter sentences.

Mr. Mayhew:

The review of parole made clear the difficulties in the way of applying parole as such to those serving shorter sentences, and for this reason canvassed an alternative possibility.