§ Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date the process began for the682W release on licence of Private Lee Clegg; and on what dates the meetings were held with (a) the trial judge, (b) the Lord Chief Justice and (c) the parole board.
§ Sir John WheelerThe internal review of Private Clegg's case commenced on 20 January 1995, immediately following the dismissal of his appeal to the House of Lords. The purpose of this review is to determine when the case should be considered by the Northern Ireland life sentence review board; there is no parole board in Northern Ireland.
The power to release a Northern Ireland life sentence prisoner on licence rests with the Secretary of State who is advised on such matters by the life sentence review board. Consultation with the Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland and the trial judge, if available, has not yet taken place as it is the final step before Ministers decide on release.