§ 38. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in 1970 and 1971 compensation was allowed to persons acquitted by criminal courts after spending a long period in custody before trial.
§ Mr. CarlisleIn this period ex gratia payments were made to three convicted persons subsequently acquitted by the Court of Appeal either on appeal or following a reference to that Court under Section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act, 1968. There were no payments to persons acquited by the court of trial.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisIs this not an appalling situation and should not the Home Office give urgent attention to the situation which now prevails in France and Germany, where arrangements have been made to give generous compensation to people who have been detained for long periods and ultimately acquitted?
§ Mr. CarlisleI do not accept that it shows an appalling situation. The position has always been that ex gratia payments are made from public funds to those acquitted only where there has been some negligence or misconduct on the part of the police or some other public authority or official.