§ Ms Janet AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of(a) first and (b) second parole applications from prisoners in England and Wales were granted to prisoners serving more than four years in each ethnic category in 1994; [3654]
(2) what percentage of first and second parole applications were granted to prisoners in England and Wales in each ethnic category in (a) 1989 and (b) 1994. [3656]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe available information is given in the tables; information for 1989 is not available. Comparisons between the ethnic categories are affected by many factors which influence the outcome of parole reviews, including length of sentence, type of offence and amount of time remaining to be served before unparoled released. These factors were analyse in Home Office statistical bulletin 2/94 "Parole recommendations and Ethnic Origin, England and Wales 1990", published in January 1994. Comparisons between 1990 and 1994 are affected by the substantial changes in the parole system—to which annual reports of the parole board refer. Copies are available in the Library.
Parole reviews for prisoners serving 4 years or more 1994: Proportions recommended for parole Percentage Consideration Ethnic origin First Second White 35 44 Black 33 49 South Asian 48 48 Chinese, Other Asian 114 165 1Fewer than 50 cases considered.
Parole reviews 1990 and 1994: Proportions recommended for parole Percentage 1990 Consideration 1994 Consideration Ethnic Origin First Second First Second White 58 46 36 45 Black 47 39 33 50 South Asian 53 40 48 49 Chinese, Other Asian 142 1— 118 168 1Fewer than 50 cases considered.