§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he expects to be in a position to announce his decisions regarding parole and the release of prisoners serving life sentences, and any minimum sentences which may be involved;
§ (2) when he expects to be in a position to announce his decisions and any changes he may have in mind to introduce regarding parole and the release of prisoners serving short sentences.
§ Mr. AncramMy right hon. Friend has been discussing these matters with the chairman of the Parole Board for Scotland and will shortly take these discussions further at a meeting with members of the board. Thereafter he intends to make an announcement about them.
In his statement on 11 October my right hon. Friend stressed that the safety of the public continues to be a paramount consideration for himself and the Parole Board in considering early release on licence, and that he was concerned to emphasise the deterrent effect of sentences of life imprisonment, particularly those related to offences in certain categories. He pointed out that several particular considerations apply in Scotland, where a lower proportion of eligible prisoners is released on parole than in England and Wales.