HC Deb 02 April 1982 vol 21 cc200-1W
Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the length of the average sentence served in prison by those convicted of crimes of (a) robbery and (b) murder in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Mr. Mayhew

We will reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently in prison having served a sentence of more than 20 years for the offence for which they were convicted; and for what offences they were sentenced in each case.

Mr. Mayhew

Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Twenty-five persons serving sentences on 31 January 1982 were first received under sentence into prison department establishments in England and Wales more than 20 years previously. Twenty of them, including 11 who had been recalled after being released on licence, were serving sentences for murder; four, including one recalled prisoner, were serving sentences for manslaughter and one recalled prisoner was serving a sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13.