Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, a person convicted of murder shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life.

Where a person convicted of murder is under the age of 18 years he shall not be sentenced to imprisonment for life but to be detained without limit of time and shall be liable to be detained in such place, and under such conditions, as the Secretary of State may direct.

Where a person convicted of murder has attained the age of 18 years but is under the age of 21 years he shall not be sentenced to imprisonment for life but to be detained in a young offenders institution and shall be liable to be detained for life.

On sentencing any person convicted of murder a judge may make a recommendation as to the minimum period which should elapse before, under section 1(4) of the [1993 c. 9.] Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993, the Secretary of State releases that person on licence.

When making a recommendation under subsection (4) above, the judge shall state his reasons for so recommending.

Notwithstanding subsection (2) of section 106 of this Act it shall be competent to appeal under paragraph (b) or (f) of subsection (1) of that section against a recommendation made under subsection (4) above; and for the purposes of such appeal (including the High Court’s power of disposal under section 118(4)(b) of this Act) the recommendation shall be deemed part of the sentence passed on conviction.