§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received seeking amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill to establish (a) a right of appeal by the prosecution against sentences passed by the courts for rape and other serious offences and (b) the creation of a minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, defined as the duration of natural life, in respect of offences of rape or attempted rape.
§ Mr. MellorWe have received letters of support for both a prosecution right of appeal and statutory minimum sentences, not necessarily in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill.
Mr. Peter Brunivelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Leicester, East on 19 January relating to sentences for criminal offences, if he will specify the number of occasions in each of the last 10 years on which a court has recommended a minimum sentence for rape; and what was the sentence recommended and the sentence actually received in each case.
§ Mr. MellorI am not aware of any such cases.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Leicester, East on 19 January, Official Report, c. 360, what representations he has received seeking the removal of all rights of remission parole or release on licence in respect of convicted rape offenders.
§ Mr. MellorWe receive numerous letters suggesting that convicted rapists, and other offenders, should serve the full sentence imposed by the court. No prisoner has a right to parole and, in accordance with the policy announced by my predecessor, convicted rapists sentenced to more than five years' imprisonment are unlikely to receive parole except for very short periods towards the end of their sentences.