§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations took place with the trial judge regarding parole for Ian Richard Thain; what were the channels for such consultations; what were the dates on which the judge was consulted; and if he will outline the views which the judge offered.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe views of the trial judge were received in July 1986. In accordance with the normal procedure in the cases of all life sentence prisoners transferred from Northern Ireland to this country to serve their sentences, the approach to the trial judge was made through the Northern Ireland Office. The views of the judiciary in life sentence cases are given in confidence.