§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners in the last year for which figures are available experienced a delay in their parole; what was(a) the average delay and, (b) the delay for each prisoner; and what has been (i) the total cost to public funds of these delays and, (ii) the cost for each prisoner;
(2) how many prisoners are currently experiencing a delay in their parole; and what is the cost to public funds of keeping those people in prison.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 13 February 1995]: The Parole Board and parole unit are currently dealing with 569 cases involving prisoners where decisions on parole have been delayed beyond parole eligibility date or its anniversary. It is not possible to estimate the cost to public funds until these cases have been dealt with, and it is clear (a) in which cases parole will be granted, and (b) how long after the parole eligibility date a decision is notified to the prisoner.
I regret that the information requested in relation to delays in parole during a complete year is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.