Parole Board Recommendations: Open Conditions - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 11:28 am on 25 May 2023.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Baroness Burt of Solihull Baroness Burt of Solihull Liberal Democrat 11:28, 25 May 2023

My Lords, it is an old saying in Parliament, “Never ask a question of a Minister unless you know the answer already”, and I read with interest the Minister’s response to the noble Lord, Lord Blunkett, on 27 April. The figure that the noble and learned Lord has quoted is less than one in six referrals from the Parole Board, and I cannot get my head around how small it is. The Minister outlines the criteria to be taken into consideration, but the Parole Board making the recommendation will surely know what criteria the Government are going on. What is the point in it keeping on making referrals if the Secretary of State is not going to listen?