asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many life prisoners are currently held beyond the tariff set by the trial judge; and what are the principal reasons for this. [HL2063]

The latest available information on the detention of tariff-expired life sentence prisoners remains as set out in Lord Falconer's reply to you on 6 February 2003. Unfortunately, data relating to the number of such prisoners currently being held beyond the tariff expiry date are no longer held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

The release of tariff-expired life sentence prisoners is a matter for the independent Parole Board. No life sentence prisoner can expect to be released unless and until the Parole Board is satisfied that continued detention is no longer necessary for the protection of the public. The main criterion governing the board's consideration is the risk of serious harm that the prisoner may pose to others.