§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the cases which have been considered this year by the Life Sentence Review Board, indicating the background from which the offender came, how long he or she had served and what decision was taken. [33302]
§ Sir John WheelerThe Life Sentence Review Board's advice to the Secretary of State is confidential.
During 1995 the Life Sentence Review Board has considered 24 cases. These figures include cases which were being considered for the first time at the 10-year stage of sentence, or earlier where appropriate, as well as a number of cases which had previously been considered by the review board and deferred for further consideration.
The Secretary of State has decided during 1995 that 14 life sentence prisoners are suitable for release on licence. Some of these cases were considered by the review board 1380W in the latter half of 1994, although the decisions of the Secretary of State, following consultation with the judiciary were taken in 1995.