§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will either (a) use his powers of executive release or (b) take new powers so that an exemption can be made for those convicted of crimes of violence from any order he may make resulting in the premature release of prisoners.
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§ Mr. HurdI have no present plans to exercise the power of executive release. My decision to provide for increased remission for good conduct and industry in the case of prisoners serving 12 months or less will not benefit those who have committed crimes of violence serious enough to merit a sentence of more than 12 months. I shall consider my hon. and learned Friend's proposal that we should amend the Prison Act to enable different periods of remission for good conduct and industry according to offence, a matter which could be referred to the parole review.