To ask the Attorney-General for what reasons he refused to overturn the sentence for manslaughter given to Mr. Philip Dale at Winchester Crown Court on 3 September 1997 on grounds of undue leniency; and if he will make a statement. [17203]

I declined to apply to the Court of Appeal for leave to refer to the Court for review the sentence imposed upon Mr. Philip Dale at Winchester Crown Court on 3 September 1997 on the grounds that the sentence was not unduly lenient. An unduly lenient sentence is one which falls outside the range of sentences which a judge, applying his mind to all of the relevant factors, could reasonably consider appropriate.