§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, following the Home Secretary's statement on life sentence and parole policy at the 231WA Conservative Party conference, the Secretary of State for Scotland proposes to make similar changes of policy; and, if not, why he has reached a different decision.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)My right honourable friend shares the concern expressed by his right honourable friend the Home Secretary about the level of crime—especially violent crime. He keeps continuously under review life sentence and parole policy in consultation with the Parole Board for Scotland, in the context that the safety of the public is a paramount consideration and that the deterrent effect of sentences of life imprisonment must be emphasised.