§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
In how many cases, in 1989 and 1990 respectively, Ministers of the Crown increased the tariff recommended by the trial judge and the Lord Chief Justice in mandatory life sentence cases.
Earl FerrersOf the 274 mandatory life sentence cases considered in 1990, Ministers set a longer period than that recommended by the trial judge in 90 cases; in 38 of these the ministerial decision was in line with the recommendation of the Lord Chief Justice. In 43 other cases, Ministers set a shorter period than that recommended by the trial judge. Information for 1989 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.