§ Lord McCluskeyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, before 4th June 1996, the Secretary of State for Scotland sought or obtained the views of the Parole Board for Scotland on the proposal, 56WA announced on that day as the Secretary of State's "conclusion", that the Parole Board would be required to determine whether or not persons twice convicted of rape and as a consequence sentenced to life imprisonment could safely be released; and whether the Parole Board for Scotland has indicated that it is able and willing to discharge that responsibility.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (The Earl of Lindsay)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland first announced his proposal for an automatic life sentence for those convicted of a second serious violent or sexual offence on 4th June. The proposal is described more fully in the White PaperCrime and Punishment published on 17th June which invites views on aspects of the new sentence. Both the announcement and the White Paper explained that the same provisions and procedures would apply to automatic life sentences as apply to discretionary life sentences. The views of the Parole Board and of any other interested parties will, of course, be welcome.