HC Deb 25 March 1965 vol 709 cc723-5
16. Mr. Julius Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that no action or criminal proceedings will now be taken against the police officers involved in the Machent Inquiry relating to alleged irregularities by Birmingham police officers, if he will now publish the results of the inquiry together with the evidence there tendered; and if he will make a statement.

47. Mr. Ioan L. Evans

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take following his discussion with representatives of the organisation Justice on the subject of the Machent Report; and if he will make a statement.

48. Mr. Victor Yates

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now considered the representations made to him by Justice concerning the publication of the Machent Report; what steps he now proposes to take to reassure the people of Birmingham that the Birmingham Police were rightly acquitted of the charges made against them; and if he will now reconsider the advisability of publishing the report.

Sir F. Soskice

I have almost completed my study of the very voluminous report by Superintendent Machent, and expect to be in a position to make a statement shortly. As I told the House on 3rd March, I cannot agree to the disclosure of a police report on inquiries into possible criminal offences.

Mr. Silverman

Whilst I am grateful that my right hon. and learned Friend is to make a more complete statement, may I ask him to bear in mind that, as this inquiry embraces 22 convictions and as some of the people convicted are serving long terms of imprisonment but might possibly be innocent, this is a matter of public interest, and not merely one of discipline within the police force itself? If my right hon. and learned Friend is not able to publish the results of this inquiry, I hope that he will make facilities available, at any rate, for hon. Members interested to see the proceedings.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend willing to consider a public inquiry by an independent tribunal, on the basis of the Challoner model? Will he also tell us whether in these inquiries—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The right hon. and learned Gentleman had better answer as far as we have got. I have no means of restraining the length of supplementary questions except by this means which, although apparently discourteous, is the best I can do.

Sir F. Soskice

It would be entirely premature for me to anticipate my decision by giving an answer in part. This is a very important report which covers a very wide range, and therefore it needs the most thorough study before any conclusion is announced.

Mr. Evans

Will a review be carried out of the sentences of the men still in prison, and is my right hon. and learned Friend satisfied that the police themselves should investigate cases of this nature?

Sir F. Soskice

I am afraid that I can only repeat the Answer I have given. The report must be thoroughly studied before any conclusions are stated.

Mr. Gurden

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman look at the facts of these cases, because I understand that some of these people were refused leave to appeal against their sentences?

Sir F. Soskice

The persons concerned were dealt with in the ordinary way by the courts, which came to decisions in the ordinary process of justice.

Mr. Speaker

Question No. 17—Mr. Thorpe.

Hon. Members

Where is he?

Mr. Lubbock

I hear one or two hon. Members ask "Where is he?" My hon. Friend the Member for Devon, North (Mr. Thorpe)—

Mr. Speaker

Interesting as it may be, it would not be orderly to inquire.