§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners convicted of murder since 1966 have been released on parole or are currently having parole reviews considered; and what proportion of them were sentenced for murdering children.
§ Mr. MellorAbout 560 prisoners convicted of murder since 1966 have been released on life licence and about 200 are currently under review by the Parole Board (a number of these reviews will not result in recommendations for release). Information about the nature of each offence could only be obtained at disproportionate cost, but it is estimated that between 10 and 15 per cent. of convictions for murder between 1966 and 1982 involved victims aged 16 or under, and that a similar proportion applies to those currently under review by the Parole Board. It does not follow that a similar proportion applies to those released on life licence.